MINUTES 

of 

Commissioners 

for 

Conspiracies 


Frontispiece,   Vol.   i 


First  Page  of  Original  Minutes,  written  by 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  and  signed  at  different  times 

by  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies 


(One-half  reduced) 


MINUTES    of  the 

Commissioners  for  detecting 
and  defeating  Conspiracies 
IN  THE  STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 

ALBANY  COUNTY  SESSIONS,  1778-1781 

Edited  by  VICTOR  HUGO   PALTSITS,   State  Historian 
VOLUME   1:1778-1779 


PUBLISHED   by  the  STATE    OF   NEW   YORK,   ALBANY,    1909 


Univ.  Library,  Univ.  Calif.,  Santa  Gig 


REPORTED  TO  THE  LEGISLATURE 
April  sth,  1909 


Albany,  N.    Y. 

J.  B.  Lyon  Company,   State  Printers 
1909 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS. 


£ 
1 


Table  of  Contents 5 

Introduction — Chapter  I:  Inquisitorial  Bodies  of  New 
York  during  the  American  Revolution — Origin  of  the 
Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  Con- 
spiracies— Their  legal  Status — Development  of  their 
Authority  and  Powers — Complaints  against  their  Jur- 
isdiction— Repealed  and  vested  in  Courts 9 

Introduction — Chapter  II:  Operation  of  the  Function  of 
the  Commissioners  as  revealed  by  the  Proceedings  of 
the  Albany  County  Board. — General  Statement  of  Or- 
ganization —  Counterfeiters — Deserters  — Murders — 
Passes — Prisoners — Protection — Rangers — Relations 
with  other  Boards  and  with  Local  Committees — Rob- 
beries and  Plunder — Toryism  and  Disaffection — 

Treason 35 

The  Manuscript 63 

List  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 67 

Schedule  of  Meetings 69 

Record  of  Attendances 73 

Half-Title  to  Manuscript,  Volume  1 77 

Minutes 79 

Half-Title  to  Manuscript,  Volume  II 297 

Minutes  (Continued) 299 

Half-Title  to  Appendixes 775 

Appendix  I :  Laws 777 

Appendix  II:  Financial  Accounts 803 

Appendix  III :  Miscellanea 829 


Analytical  Index Volume  III 


FACSIMILES. 

First  page  of  the  Minutes,  exhibiting  the  Oath,  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  signed  at  different 
times  by  the  Commissioners Frontispiece  to  Vol.  I. 

Page  of  Minutes  written  by  Mathew  Visscher  and  Leonard 
Gansevoort,  Jr Vol.  I,  opposite  p.  94 

Gansevoort's  Oath  as  Secretary,  entirely  in  his  own  hand- 
writing   Vol.  I,  opposite  p.  292 

First  page  of  rough  draft  (an  insert)  in  the  second  manu- 
script volume,  with  emendations  by  Leonard  Gansevoort, 
Jr Frontispiece  to  Vol.  II. 

Page  of  the  clean  copy  of  the  second  volume,  showing  Ganse- 
voort's reappointment  as  Secretary.  Vol.  II,  opposite  p.  440 

Gansevoort's  full  Bill  for  Services  as  Secretary  to  the  Albany 
Board Vol.  II,  opposite  p.  803 


INTRODUCTION. 


CHAPTER  I. 

INQUISITORIAL  BODIES  OF  NEW  YORK  DURING  THE  AMERICAN 
REVOLUTION — ORIGIN  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  DE- 
TECTING AND  DEFEATING  CONSPIRACIES — THEIR  LEGAL 
STATUS — DEVELOPMENT  OF  THEIR  AUTHORITY  AND 
POWERS — COMPLAINTS  AGAINST  THEIR  JURISDICTION — 
REPEALED  AND  VESTED  IN  COURTS. 


It  is  not  the  design  of  this  introduction  to  hold  a  brief 
for  the  defense  of  the  laws  of  the  State  of  New  York  and 
their  operation  against  toryism,  nor  to  analyze  the  virtues  or 
vices  of  the  loyalist  contingent  during  the  American  Revolu- 
tion. An  attempt  is  made  here  to  analyze  the  laws  passed  for 
the  repression  of  disaffection  in  the  State,  particularly  as 
related  to  the  Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating 
conspiracies,  whose  Albany  minutes  form  these  volumes,  and 
to  digest  some  of  the  main  features  of  the  proceedings  of  these 
commissioners,  as  operated  under  the  laws  by  which  they 
were  to  be  governed.  The  spectacular  and  dramatic  conflict 
between  whigs  and  tories;  the  philosophical  speculation  as  to 
the  probable  economic  and  political  gain  or  loss  to  the  State 
by  this  conflict  and  its  determination,  and  an  impassionate 
estimate  of  loyalism  as  a  principle,  have  been  presented  ably 


io  State  of  New  York 


by  Van  Tyne1  and  by  Flick.2  There  is  also  a  superabundance 
of  biased  or  partizan  literature,  on  both  sides,  and  pens  and 
printing  presses  are  yet  overworked  in  reproducing  such 
opinions. 

On  February  5,  1778,  during  its  first  session  (1777-1778), 
the  legislature  of  New  York  passed  its  first  bill  for  the  creation 
of  a  body  of  "  Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating 
Conspiracies  "  in  the  State  and  declaring  their  powers.  The 
idea  was  not  a  new  one,  for  in  conserving  the  State,  against 
the  machinations  of  disaffected,  disloyal  or  even  decidely 
inimical  persons,  progressive  media  had  been  determined  and 
executed  by  local  and  county  committees,  by  the  Provincial 
Congresses  and  Convention  and  otherwise. 

"  There  was  a  definite  relationship  among  all  the  bodies 
growing  out  of  the  revolution.  The  Continental  Congress 
stood  at  the  head;  then  came  the  Provincial  Congress  or 
Convention,  then  the  general  committee  on  tories,  then  the 
county  committees,  and  at  the  base,  the  district  committees/'3 
These  various  bodies  varied  in  size,  authority,  procedure  and 
effectiveness.  With  the  erection  of  constitutional  government 
in  the  State,  toryism  was  more  clearly  defined  and  handled  in 
more  summary  fashion.  "The  inquisitorial  methods  and 
machinery  developed  previous  to  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence were  continued  by  the  Constitutional  Convention 
and  by  the  new  state  government."4 

1  Van  Tyne  (Claude  H.)  The  Loyalists  in  the  American  Revolution.     New 
York  and  London,  1902. 

2  Flick.     Loyalism  in   New    York  during  the  American  Revohdion.     New 
York,  1901  (Columbia  University  Studies  in  History,  Economics  and  Public 
Law,  vol.  xiv,  no.  i).     In  this  work  the  whole  system  of  the  inquisitorial 
bodies  of  New  York  is  given  in  admirable  detail. 

*  Ibid,  p.  79. 

*  Ibid,  p.  117. 


Introduction  1 1 


The  Provincial  Congress  had  appointed  a  committee  in 
May,  1776,  to  deal  with  "  intestine  enemies."  As  the  trial  of 
persons  accused  as  tories  consumed  much  time,  a  standing 
committee  of  five  was  appointed,  on  May  27,  1776,  to  hear 
all  cases  of  those  arrested  by  the  Congress  or  by  the  committee 
of  safety.  But  this  committee  was  so  deluged  with  arduous 
duties,  that  a  new  committee  consisting  of  nine  members  was 
constituted  and  given  enlarged  powers.  This  last-mentioned 
general  committee  was  appointed  to  execute  the  resolves  of 
June  5,  1776,  and  lasted  until  dissolved  by  the  Convention, 
which  "  itself  took  cognizance  of  all  urgent  cases."  The 
invasion  of  New  York  by  the  British  army  at  the  south  and 
the  threatened  invasion  from  the  north,  coupled  with  the 
difficulties  imminent  from  a  dangerous  toryism,  determined 
the  Convention  to  constitute  a  new  inquisitorial  committee 
of  seven  members,  on  September  21,  1776,  which  was  given  a 
perfected  organization,  and  to  which  the  county  committees 
became  subordinate.  This  committee,  after  sitting  almost 
daily,  adjourned  on  the  last  day  of  the  year,  reported  to  the 
committee  of  safety  within  a  week's  time,  and  was  dissolved 
in  February,  1777,  only  to  be  succeeded  by  another  committee 
of  three.  The  powers  and  duties  of  the  seven  fell  upon  these 
three  men,  who  acted  under  instructions  from  the  Convention. 
They  were,  however,  soon  enlarged  to  five  members,  and, 
on  August  28,  1777,  were  again  augmented  to  a  membership 
of  nine  men,  being  known  as  "  Commissioners  for  detecting 
and  defeating  all  Conspiracies  "  when  vested  anew  by  the 
newly-chosen  legislature,  on  October  7, 1777,  as  an  emergency 
provision.  They  moved  from  place  to  place  and,  aided  by 
armed  forces,  sought  out  and  arrested  the  enemies  of  the  State. 
It  was  deemed  particularly  important  at  this  time  that 


12  State  of  New  York 


domestic  foes   should   be  suppressed   or  reclaimed,   before 
coping  with  Burgoyne's  invasion.1 

In  the  original  legislative  act  creative  of  the  commissioners 
whose  Albany  proceedings  constitute  these  volumes,  the 
reasons  given  are  "the  present  invasion  of  this  State;" 
"  the  disaffection  of  sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  same," 
and  to  guard  and  secure  effectually  the  peace  of  the  State 
"  against  the  wicked  Machinations  and  Designs  of  the 
Foreign  and  Domestic  Foes  thereof/'2  The  governor,  lieu- 
tenant governor  or  president  of  the  senate,  whichever  at  the 
time  administered  the  government  of  the  State,  was  authorized 
and  empowered,  from  time  to  time,  to  appoint  by  a  commis- 
sion "  by  and  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  the  Council  of 
Appointment,  so  many  Persons,  not  exceeding  ten,  as  he  shall 
think  proper,  to  be  Commissioners."3  Any  three  of  the  com- 
missioners constituted  a  quorum  for  carrying  out  the  pro- 
visions of  the  act.  Their  function  was  defined  as  having 
power  "  to  send  for  Persons  and  Papers,  and  administer 
Oaths;  and  to  apprehend  and  confine,  or  cause  to  be  appre- 
hended and  confined,  in  such  Manner,  and  under  such 
Restrictions  and  Limitations,  as  to  them  shall  appear 
necessary,  for  the  public  Safety,  all  Persons,  whose  going  at 
large,  shall,  in  the  Judgment  of  the  said  Commissioners,  or 
any  three  of  them,  appear  dangerous  to  the  Safety  of  this 
State.  To  take  Bonds  and  Recognizances,  from  Time  to 
Time,  to  the  People  of  this  State,  for  the  good  Behaviour, 
safe  Custody,  or  Appearance  of  such  of  the  said  Persons, 
and  of  all  others,  now  confined  for  the  like  Cause,  as  they  may 

'Summarised  and  adapted  from  Flick,  pp.  66,  67,  119,  120,  123,  127,  128, 
with  revisions.  The  designations  "  board  ",  "  commissioners  "  and  "  com- 
mittee "  were  used  interchangeably  as  early  as  1777. 

2  Appendix  I:  Laws,  Feb.  5,  1778. 

*Ibid. 


Introduction  13 


think  proper,  in  such  Sums,  and  upon  such  Conditions, 
as  unto  them  shall  appear  expedient;  and  the  said  Bonds  and 
Recognizances,  if  forfeited,  to  prosecute  or  to  cancel  and 
release,  upon  such  Terms  and  Conditions;  and  to  discharge 
from  Confinement,  any  of  the  said  Persons  absolutely,  and 
without  any  Terms  or  Conditions,  as  they  may  think  proper. 
And  also,  from  Time  to  Time,  to  make  such  Provision,  for  the 
safe  Custody,  and  comfortable  Subsistence  of  all  Persons, 
who  may  from  Time  to  Time  be  so  confined  as  aforesaid, 
in  such  Manner  as  they  may  think  proper. 

"  Provided  always,  That  by  Reason  or  Colour  of  any  Thing 
herein  contained,  the  said  Commissioners,  or  any  of  them, 
shall  not  be  empowered  to  inflict  any  corporal  Punishment, 
upon  any  or  either  of  the  said  Persons  confined  as  aforesaid." 
It  was  moreover  provided  "  That  no  Judge  or  Magistrate, 
shall  bail  any  of  the  Persons,  who  may  be  confined  by 
Authority  of  the  said  Commissioners;  and  that  no  Court  shall 
deliver  any  of  the  Gaols,  within  this  State,  of  any  Person  or 
Persons,  so  confined  as  aforesaid,  unless  such  Persons,  shall 
have  been  indicted,  and  tried  for  the  Offence  or  Offences, 
for  which  he  or  she,  shall  have  been  respectively  committed." 
Before  entering  upon  his  duties,  each  commissioner  was 
obliged  to  take  the  prescribed  oath  of  office  to  "  faithfully 
execute  and  perform,  for  the  Benefit  and  Advantage  of  the 
People  of  the  State  of  New- York,  all  and  singular  the  Powers 
and  Authorities,  by  Force  and  Virtue  of  the  said  Act  "  given 
to  him.  They  were  authorized  to  draw  upon  the  public 
treasury  for  sums  of  money,  from  time  to  time,  not  to  exceed 
in  the  whole  the  sum  of  five  thousand  pounds,  and  were 
ordered  to  render  a  just  and  true  account  of  their  expendi- 
tures, and  to  keep  regular  minutes  of  all  their  proceedings, 


14  State  of  New  York 


to  be  submitted,  if  required,  "  to  the  Consideration  of  the 
Senate  or  Assembly,  or  to  such  Person  or  Persons,  as  shall  be, 
for  that  Purpose  appointed."  For  each  day  that  he  would  be 
actually  engaged  with  the  business  of  his  trust,  each  com- 
missioner was  to  receive  the  sum  of  twenty  shillings.  The 
act  was  made  operative  until  November  I,  1778,  "  and  no 
longer/'1 

Now,  although  the  act  became  operative  on  February  5, 
1778,  the  proceedings  of  senate  and  assembly  reveal  that 
the  subject  had  been  under  careful  consideration  for  some 
time  before,  and  had  been  interrupted  by  reverses  of  the 
war.  On  September  23,  1777,  Egbert  Benson,  assembly- 
man from  Dutchess  County,  asked  and  was  given  leave  to 
introduce  in  the  assembly  a  bill  for  appointing  "Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies,  &c.  and  declaring  their  Powers," 
which  was  presented  the  following  morning,  read  and 
ordered  to  a  second  reading.  It  was  read  a  second  time 
on  September  25,  and  committed  to  a  committee  of  the 
whole  house,  whence  it  was  reported  by  Ezra  L'Homme- 
dieu,  of  Suffolk  County,  on  the  26th,  with  several  amend- 
ments and  two  added  clauses;  was  passed  up,  read  a 
third  time  and  ordered  engrossed.  The  engrossed  bill  was 
"read  a  third  Time,"  so  called,  and  passed  in  the  assembly 
on  September  27,  from  whence  it  was  now  conveyed  to  the 
senate  for  concurrence.  On  the  last-mentioned  day  the 
senate  received  the  bill.  It  was  read  and  ordered  to  a 
second  reading,  which  took  place  on  the  29th,  and  was 
then  committed  to  the  committee  of  the  whole  of  the  senate. 
On  October  3  Senator  Jonathan  Lawrence  reported  that 
the  bill  had  made  some  progress  in  the  committee  of  the 

»  Appendix  I:  Laws,  Feb.  5,  1778. 


Introduction  15 


whole,  but  that  leave  to  sit  again  was  desired.  On  that 
afternoon  the  senate,  having  again  resolved  itself  into  a 
committee  of  the  whole,  requested  permission  for  further 
consideration  of  the  bill.  On  the  next  day  the  bill  was 
reported  with  several  amendments,  was  read  and  ordered 
to  be  engrossed.  Senator  John  Morin  Scott,  on  October  6, 
was  ordered  to  carry  the  amended  bill  to  the  assembly  for 
its  concurrence.  That  was  as  far  as  it  got  for  some  time, 
because  the  news  of  the  reduction  by  the  British  of  Fort 
Montgomery  and  its  dependencies  in  the  Highlands  reached 
both  branches  of  the  legislature  at  noon  of  October  7, 
which  induced  many  of  the  senators  and  assemblymen,  who 
held  military  commissions,  to  leave  Kingston  forthwith  for 
service,  whilst  others  went  away  to  conserve  the  safety  of 
their  own  households.  But  the  legislature,  on  that  day, 
revived  all  of  the  county  and  district  committees  and  the 
former  commissioners  for  conspiracies,  both  as  to  powers 
and  persons.  Governor  Clinton,  on  December  15,  1777, 
issued  a  proclamation  for  reconvening  the  legislature  on 
January  5,  1778;  but  quorums  of  both  houses  did  not 
materialize  before  the  I5th.  On  January  28,  the  assembly 
again  took  up  the  engrossed  amended  bill,  referred  back 
to  it  by  the  senate  in  the  preceding  year  (October  6,  1777), 
and  concurred  on  the  next  morning.  The  amendments  had 
so  defaced  the  bill  that  the  assembly,  on  January  31,  ordered 
a  newly  engrossed  copy,  and  on  February  2,  in  its  new  form, 
it  was  transmitted  to  the  senate,  where  it  passed  the  next 
morning.  The  bill  was  returned  to  the  assembly,  where  it 
had  originated.  Having  now  been  passed  in  both  houses, 
it  was  ordered,  on  the  4th,  to  be  transmitted  to  the  council 
of  revision,  which  gave  its  approval  on  February  5,  1778, 
the  date  of  actual  enactment,  yet  a  record  of  this  cer- 


1 6  State  of  New  York 


tification  was  made  in  the  senate  only  on  the  loth  of  the 
month.1 

Senator  Abraham  Yates,  on  March  20,  1778,  asked  formal 
leave  to  introduce  a  bill  amendatory  of  the  act  of  February 
5.  In  the  committee  of  the  whole  his  bill  was  altered  in 
title  and  amended  in  body;  it  was  passed  by  the  senate  on 
April  2,  and  forwarded  by  the  hand  of  Senator  Levi  Pawling 
to  the  assembly  for  concurrence.  The  house  by  unanimous 
consent  at  once  referred  it  to  the  committee  of  the  whole, 
where  it  was  considered  favorably  and  without  alteration. 
The  bill  passed  the  assembly  on  the  3d,  not  however  with- 
out debate  and  opposition,  five  votes  being  on  record  against 
it.  It  was  returned  to  the  senate  immediately  and  ordered 
by  that  body  to  be  carried  by  Pawling  to  the  council  of 
revision,  where  it  received  approval  at  once.2  By  this  act 
of  April  3,  1778,  the  legislature  authorized  enlarging  the 
number  of  commissioners  "not  exceeding  twenty/'  or  thirty 
altogether.  As  many  quorums  of  three  as  were  necessary, 
at  any  time  or  place,  were  deemed  legal  for  the  execution 
of  the  powers  and  authorities  delegated  to  them.3 

Because  it  had  been  found  that  there  were  divers  dis- 
affected and  dangerous  persons  and  families,  resident  at 
or  near  the  several  posts  and  passes  within  the  State,  of 

1  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  Senate  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  First  session. 
Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1777,  pp.  18,  23,  24,  25,  26,  44,  53-54;  Votes  and 
Proceedings  of  the  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New-  York,  First  session.  Kingston: 
John  Holt,  1777,  pp.  17,  18,  19-20,  28,  38,  40,  41,  44,  45.  The  title-pages 
of  the  votes  were  printed  with  the  first  signatures  and  before  a  volume  was 
completed;  hence  they  actually  bear  dates  earlier  than  the  contents  of  their 
respective  volumes.  This  accounts  for  what  might  seem  to  be  an  incongruous 
citation. 

'  Senate  Votes,  cited  supra,  pp.  90,  91,  106,  108;  Assembly  Votes,  cited 
supra,  pp.  104,  105,  106,  107. 

'Appendix  I:  Laws,  April  3,  1778. 


Introduction  17 


whom  there  was  "  great  Reason  to  believe  "  that  they  com- 
municated material  information  to  the  enemy,  the  legis- 
lature, on  April  I,  1778,  passed  an  act1  empowering  the 
governor  or  "  person  administering  the  Government  "  of  the 
State  for  the  time  being,  to  exercise  his  judgment  "  for  the 
public  Safety,  to  cause  all  such  dangerous  disaffected  Per- 
sons and  Families,  as  now  are,  or  hereafter  shall  happen  to  be 
resident  at  or  near  any  Post,  Pass  or  Encampment,  within 
this  State,  to  be  removed  to  such  other  Place  or  Places 
within  the  same,  as  he  shall  deem  expedient."  He  was 
obliged  to  "  certify  the  Names  of  such  Persons  so  removed, 
and  a  Description  of  the  Houses  and  Farms,  from  which 
they  shall  be  removed  respectively,  to  the  Commissioners 
of  Sequestration  of  the  County,  to  which  such  Persons 
shall  be  removed."  These  persons  were  to  be  put  in  posses- 
sion of  sequestered  farms  or  houses  in  the  new  county, 
upon  a  moderate  rental,  and  with  due  regard  of  the  value 
of  their  own  farms  or  houses  which  they  had  left  behind 
them;  but  they  were  in  no  wise  to  gain  a  residence  in  the 
new  district,  nor  become  a  charge  for  maintenance  therein. 
The  application  of  lenient  measures  for  the  suppression 
of  disaffection  was  ineffectual.  It  was  found  that  many 
persons  had  "  affected  to  maintain  a  Neutrality,"  which 
there  was  "  Reason  to  suspect  was  in  many  Instances, 
dictated  by  a  Poverty  of  Spirit,  and  an  undue  Attachment 
to  Property."  Divers  of  them  "  advocated  the  American 
Cause  till  it  became  serious,"  then  broke  their  paroles  and 
dissipated  the  forbearance  of  their  countrymen,  having 
"  ungratefully  and  insidiously  from  Time  to  Time,  by  artful 
Misrepresentations,  and  a  subtle  Dissemination  of  Doc- 
trines, Fears  and  Apprehensions  false  in  themselves,  and 

'Appendix  !•  Laws,  April  i,  1778. 


1 8  State  of  New  York 


injurious  to  the  American  Cause,  seduced  certain  weak 
minded  Persons  from  the  Duties  they  owed  their  Country/' 
Hence  the  legislature,  by  the  act  of  June  30,  1778,'  judged 
that  the  welfare  of  the  State  "  loudly  "  demanded  that  some 
decisive  measures  should  be  taken  against  them,  and  that 
the  State  should  no  longer  grant  shelter  to  persons  who 
"  not  only  refuse  to  assist  in  rearing,"  but  daily  endeavored 
to  undermine  and  subvert  the  patriot  government.  By  this 
act  passiveness  was  no  longer  to  be  respected.  An  out  and 
out  patriotism  was  to  be  made  manifest.  All  persons  "  of 
neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  "  were  to  be  summoned 
before  quorums  of  the  commissioners  for  detecting  and 
defeating  conspiracies,  whenever  they  believed  any  of  them 
to  have  "  influence  sufficient  to  do  Mischief,"  and  were  to 
take  the  new  oath  of  allegiance  or,  if  Quakers,  to  affirm. 
By  this  oath  or  affirmation  they  declared,  "without  any 
mental  Reservation  or  Equivocation  whatever,"  that  the 
State  of  New  York  was  of  right  a  free  and  independent 
State,  and  that  no  authority  or  power  could  of  right  be 
exercised  in  and  over  the  State,  save  such  as  was  granted 
by  or  derived  from  its  people.  Every  subscriber  swore  to 
do  his  duty  as  became  a  "  good  Subject  of  the  said  Free  and 
Independent  State  of  New  York,"  to  the  best  of  his  knowl- 
edge and  ability.  Persons  summoned  or  brought  before 
the  commissioners  and  who  refused  to  take  the  oath  or  to 
affirm,  were  to  be  forthwith  removed  "  to  any  Place  within 
the  Enemy's  Lines,"  and  their  names  were  to  be  certified 
by  the  commissioners  to  the  secretary  of  the  State,  who  was 
required  to  record  and  file  the  certificates.  Neutrals  who 
absconded  or  absented  themselves  to  avoid  the  oath,  were 
to  be  summoned  before  the  commissioners  by  publication, 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  June  30,  1778. 


Introduction  19 


to  appear  at  a  designated  place  within  twenty-one  days 
from  the  date  of  the  said  publication  in  the  newspapers. 
Their  default  was  adjudged  equal  to  a  refusal  of  the  oath 
or  affirmation.  Those  who  were  removed  or  who  defaulted 
were  declared  as  banished  from  the  State;  if  discovered  in 
any  part  thereof,  they  were,  upon  conviction,  to  be  adjudged 
guilty  of  misprision  of  treason.  All  lands  held  in  the  State 
by  persons  attainted,  "on  the  twenty-sixth  Day  of  June 
Instant  [1778],  in  Fee  Simple  or  Fee  Tail,  or  which  may 
hereafter  be  acquired  by,  or  devised,  granted,  or  descend" 
to  any  of  them,  were  forever  thereafter  to  "be  charged  with 
double  Taxes,  in  whosesoever  Hands  the  said  Lands  may 
hereafter  be."  The  immediate  execution  of  this  last  man- 
date was  prevented  by  subsequent  tax  acts,  which  provided 
that  only  a  single  tax  should  be  collected  on  lands  of  per- 
sons removed  within  the  enemy's  lines,  until  such  time  as 
the  legislature  should  make  another  provision  for  the  collec- 
tion of  the  said  extra  taxes.1  While  the  act  of  June  30, 
1778,  indicated  removal  forthwith  within  the  British  lines, 
it  provided  a  reservation,  lodged  in  the  governor  or  "Per- 
son administering  the  Government"  for  the  time  being, 
who  was  to  be  notified  by  the  commissioners  prior  to  the 
removal  of  persons,  and  who  could  detain  and  confine 
those  whom  he  adjudged  proper  for  exchanges.  All  magis- 
trates, sheriffs  and  constables  were  ordered  to  assist  the 
commissioners  in  expediting  the  execution  of  the  act. 

As  the  first  term  of  the  commissioners  was  to  expire  on 
the  first  of  November,  an  act2  was  passed,  October  29, 
1778,  continuing  them  "until  twenty  Days  after  the  next 

1  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  pp.  96,  114. 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  Oct.  29,  1778.  See  also  Assembly  Voles.  Pough- 
keepsie: John  Holt,  1779,  pp.  21,  24,  26,  27,  28,  30;  Senate  Votes.  Fish-Kill: 
Samuel  Loudon,  1777,  pp.  141,  143,  147. 


2O  State  of  New  York 

Meeting  of  the  Legislature,  and  a  Quorum  of  both  Houses 
shall  be  convened/'  and  an  appropriation,  not  to  exceed 
the  sum  of  three  thousand  pounds,  was  authorized.  It  was 
at  this  time  (November  2,  1778)  that  a  regular  night  watch 
was  ordered  by  statute1  for  the  counties  of  Ulster,  Tryon, 
Charlotte,  Dutchess  and  Albany,  because  the  provisions  of 
the  militia  law  had  proved  to  be  inefficient.  Every  able- 
bodied  male  inhabitant,  between  the  ages  of  sixteen  and 
sixty  years,  slaves  and  Indians  excepted,  was  ordered  to 
do  watch  duty  when  called  upon  by  the  captain  of  a  com- 
pany, beat  or  district,  wherein  he  resided.  Each  watch  was 
to  be  composed  of  eight  men.  Certain  persons  were  ex- 
empted from  duty,  among  them  commissioners  for  con- 
spiracies, save  in  the  city  of  Albany  and  the  town  of  Sche- 
nectady,  where  clergymen  alone  were  excepted.  Later,  on 
October  13,  1779,  the  act  was  amended,2  extending  its 
operation  to  Westchester  and  Orange  counties. 

The  senate,  on  February  12,  1779,  passed  the  following 
order,3  viz: 

"Whereas  the  Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeat- 
ing Conspiracies,  are  by  Law  required  to  keep  regular 
Minutes  of  all  their  Proceedings,  in  Order  that  the  same 
may  be  submitted  to  the  Consideration  of  the  Senate  or 
Assembly;  and  although  no  Complaints  have  been  made 
to  this  Senate  of  any  Misconduct  in  the  said  Commissioners, 
or  any  of  them,  nor  has  this  Senate  any  Reason  to  believe 
there  are  any  Grounds  for  such  Complaint,  yet  as  the 
Execution  of  their  Office  is  of  the  utmost  Importance  to 
the  Weal  of  this  State  at  this  critical  Juncture. 

1  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  pp.  46-47. 

*  Ibid,  p.  80. 

^Senate  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1777,  p.  173. 


Introduction  21 


"  Ordered,  therefore,  That  the  said  Commissioners  lay 
their  Proceedings  before  this  Senate,  with  all  convenient 
Speed,  to  the  End,  that  the  Legislature  may  make  further 
Provision,  if  necessary,  with  respect  to  dangerous  and  dis- 
affected Persons  within  this  State." 

The  act  of  June  30,  1778,  in  so  far  as  it  bade  immediate 
removal  within  the  British  lines,  worked  harshly  in  some 
cases.  By  the  act  of  February  17,  1779,*  the  legislature 
sought  to  hold  open  the  door  of  recantation  from  toryism  to 
the  last  moment,  averring  it  as  a  "  sound  Policy  and  common 
Chanty  "  to  permit  every  person,  who  had  refused  or  might 
thereafter  refuse  to  take  the  oath  or  affirmation,  and  who 
would  voluntarily  offer  to  take  it "  before  the  Commencement 
of  his  or  her  Removal,"  to  be  fully  and  wholly  absolved  from 
the  penalties  of  the  law;  except  persons  detained  or  confined 
as  exchanges.  This  act  also  recited  the  continuation  of  the 
commissioners  in  the  terms  of  the  act  of  October  29,  1778. 
When  the  bill  was  under  discussion  in  the  Senate,  on  Febru- 
ary 12,  it  contained  a  paragraph  in  amendments  submitted  by 
the  assembly,  which  directed  the  treasurer  of  the  State  to 
advance  to  the  commissioners,  or  any  three  of  them,  such 
further  sum  or  sums  as  they  should  from  time  to  time  require, 
not  exceeding  three  thousand  pounds.  From  this,  Senators 
Richard  Morris  and  Ebenezer  Russell  dissented,  averring 
that  as  former  allowances  had  not  been  accounted  for,  it  was 
presumptive  evidence  that  the  whole  amount  had  not  as  yet 
been  spent;  that  there  had  been  no  requisition  for  more 

•Appendix  I:  Laws,  Feb.  17,  1779.  A  similar  bill  was  rejected  by  the 
assembly  in  the  preceding  November,  notwithstanding  that  the  commis- 
sioners for  conspiracies  had  found  such  a  provision  desirable.  See  also 
Assembly  Votes.  Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1779,  pp.  14,  17,  21,  24-5,  34, 
37.  5r»  53.  59.  63,  74;  Senate  Votes.  Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1777,  pp.  164, 
165,  166,  168,  171,  172,  175-6,  178. 


22  State  of  New  York 

money  from  the  commissioners  to  the  senate  —  hence  the 
granting  of  large  sums  of  money  to  any  office  or  officer 
unasked,  would  be  unprecedented  and  might,  at  some 
future  day,  be  dangerous  to  the  revenues  of  the  State.  They 
believed  that  a  sufficient  appropriation  could  be  made  at 
another  time,  when  suggested  by  exigencies,  and  that  the  bill 
would  be  a  proper  subject  for  immediate  legislation  with  the 
omission  of  the  extra  grant.1  It  is  apparent  that  the  argu- 
ments did  not  appeal  to  the  senate,  as  the  act  retained  the 
grant  of  three  thousand  pounds.  * 

The  committee  for  inquiring  what  laws  were  expired  or 
near  expiring  apprised  the  senate,  on  September  2,  1779, 
that  the  expiration  of  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies 
was  close  at  hand,  and  recommended  their  continuance. 
Accordingly  a  bill  was  introduced  at  once;  was  amended  in 
title  and  body,  engrossed,  and  passed  the  senate  on  the  8th. 
On  the  following  day  in  the  assembly,  whither  it  was  referred 
for  concurrence,  a  motion  was  made  to  reject  it,  but  failed 
of  passage.  Yet  again,  in  the  committee  of  the  whole  house, 
Egbert  Benson  sought  to  have  the  last  recital  and  clause 
expunged,  and  this  was  also  defeated,  only  five  other  as- 
semblymen standing  with  him.  However,  an  amendment 
made  in  assembly  was  accepted  by  the  senate.  When  the  bill 
reached  the  council  of  revision,  they  objected,  "  because  it 
appears  from  the  Preamble,  that  the  Laws,  by  the  said  Bill 
intended  to  be  continued,  are  already  expired  by  their  own 
Limitation;  and  the  enacting  Clause  containing  no  Words  of 
Revival  or  Re-enaction,  the  whole  Law  becomes  nugatory,  as 
that  cannot  be  continued  which  does  not  exist."  Whereupon, 
a  bill  to  meet  this  criticism  was  introduced  and  became  law 

1  Senate  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1777,  pp.  172,  175-6. 


Introduction  23 


on  October  I,  1779.*  This  law  revived  the  commissioners 
and  continued  them  until  twenty  days  after  the  first  day  of 
the  next  meeting  of  a  quorum  of  senate  and  assembly,  and 
appropriated  a  sum  not  to  exceed  four  thousand  pounds. 
As  they  had  performed  "  divers  Acts,  Matters  and  Things  " 
ad  interim,  the  legislature  in  this  act  validated  them.  Former 
acts  made  no  provision  for  the  removal  of  a  commissioner 
or  filling  of  vacancies,  which  authority  was  now  vested  in 
the  council  of  appointment.  The  appropriation  bill,  enacted 
October  25,  1779,  granted  to  the  commissioners,  or  any  three 
of  them,  an  additional  sum  of  money,  not  to  exceed  in  all 
three  thousand  pounds,  "  to  defray  the  Expence  of  the 
Business  committed  to  them."2 

An  attempt  made  in  assembly,  on  February  18,  1780,  to 
introduce  a  bill  for  reviving  the  commissioners,  the  act  of 
October  I,  1779,  having  expired,  was  defeated.3  Among 
certain  resolutions  passed  in  assembly,  on  March  10,  1780, 
was  one  recommending  the  creation  of  a  joint  committee  of 
three  assemblymen  and  two  senators,  to  examine  and  adjust 
particular  public  accounts  during  the  recess  of  the  legislature, 
including  the  accounts  of  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies. 
The  intention  was  to  have  this  committee  render  a  report 
to  the  next  meeting  of  the  legislature.  When  it  reached  the 
senate,  only  one  member,  Sir  James  Jay,  voted  in  the  affirma- 
tive.1 

'Appendix  I:  Laws,  Oct.  i,  1779.  See  also  Assembly  Votes,  Fish-Kill: 
Samuel  Loudon,  1779,  pp.  20,  22,  29,  33,  36,  37,  41,  47;  Senate  Votes.  Fish- 
Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1779,  pp.  n,  12,  13,  14,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  29,  30. 

*  Laws  of  New   York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  99.    See  also 
Assembly  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1779,  pp.  79-80. 

»  Assembly  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1779,  p.  117. 

*  Assembly  Votes.     Idem,  p.  149;  Senate  Votes.    Idem,  pp.  101-102;  Assem- 
bly Papers  —  Miscellaneous,  vol.  2,  p.  196. 


24  State  of  New  York 

On  March  13,  1780,  an  act1  was  passed,  relative  to  British 
deserters.  The  laws  affecting  the  authority  of  the  com- 
missioners, as  already  stated,  had  expired  meanwhile.  De- 
serters from  the  British  lines  who  had  come  within  any  county 
and  were  confined  there  in  a  common  jail,  could  be  released 
by  any  two  justices  of  the  peace  of  the  said  county,  by 
entering  into  a  recognizance,  either  with  or  without  surety, 
as  the  particular  two  justices  might  determine.  It  was 
provided,  however,  that  such  persons  should  appear  "  at  the 
next  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Goal  Deliv- 
ery "  to  be  held  in  that  county,  and  remain,  meanwhile, 
within  the  bounds  limited  to  them  by  the  justices.  In 
certain  cases  the  justices  could  enlarge  a  person  upon  promise 
of  good  behavior  during  the  war.  This  jurisdiction  did  not 
apply  to  persons  who  were  in  custody  by  virtue  of  a  warrant 
from  a  judge  of  the  supreme  court,  nor  to  those  whose 
release  from  jail  would  be  dangerous  to  the  State.  Nor  was 
the  privilege  of  release  to  be  construed  as  excusing  any 
person,  so  enlarged,  from  the  performance  of  duty  in  the 
militia  of  the  State,  and  absence  from  the  limited  confines, 
when  upon  such  militia  duty,  was  not  deemed  a  breach  of  a 
person's  recognizance.  Deserters  from  the  British  army, 
who  surrendered  voluntarily  to  a  justice  of  the  peace,  were  to 
be  dealt  with  in  all  respects  as  provided  for  persons  in  actual 
custody.  If  they  were  guilty  of  an  offence  committed  after 
leaving  the  British  lines,  the  law  could  be  invoked  against 
them.  This  act  also  revived  certain  powers  of  the  commis- 
sioners for  detecting  and  defeating  conspiracies,  relative  to 
persons  formerly  confined  by  their  order,  or  bound  by  them  by 
recognizances.  Any  three  of  the  former  board  were  em- 
powered to  release,  in  the  usual  manner,  those  whom  they 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  March  13,  1780. 


Introduction  25 


had  confined,  or  discharge  the  said  recognizances;  but  ap- 
pearance of  the  respective  persons  before  the  courts  of  oyer 
and  terminer  and  general  jail  delivery  was  imposed  as  an 
imperative  obligation.  This  act1  remained  in  force  "  until 
thirty  Days  after  the  rising  of  the  Legislature,  at  their  next 
Meeting." 

A  few  weeks  before  the  termination  of  its  third  session, 
the  legislature  again  revived  the  former  laws  relating  to  the 
commissioners,  by  the  act  of  June  14,  i/So.2  The  reasons 
supplied  in  the  act  demanding  their  revival  were  apprehension 
"  that  Emissaries  from  the  Enemy  are  lurking  in  different 
Parts  of  the  State,  and  that  the  disaffected  Inhabitants  are 
conspiring  against  the  public  Peace  and  Safety/*  The 
commissioners  were  now  to  "  continue  and  be  in  full  Force 
during  the  Continuance  of  the  present  War  with  Great 
Britain;"  were  to  receive  each  for  a  day's  actual  service  the 
sum  of  fourteen  shillings  "  of  the  Money  to  be  issued,  agree- 
able to  the  Resolutions  of  Congress,  of  the  eighteenth  Day  of 
March  last"  [1780];  and  the  State  treasurer  was  authorized 
to  advance  money  to  them  for  their  expenses,  not  to  exceed 
in  the  whole  the  sum  of  two  thousand  pounds. 

On  the  day  preceding  the  adjournment  of  its  third  session, 
namely  on  July  I,  1780,  the  legislature  passed  an  act  pertain- 
ing to  the  removal  of  the  families  of  persons  who  had  joined 
the  British.3  Their  habitations  served  to  harbor  secret 
emissaries  or  conceal  members  of  their  families  who  had 
come  surreptitiously  from  the  British  lines  "  to  gain  Intelli- 
gence and  commit  Robberies,  Thefts  and  Murders  "  upon 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  March  13,  1780. 

2 Ibid,  June  14,  1780.  See  also  Senate  Votes.  Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon, 
1779,  pp.  in,  112,  114,  119.  The  Assembly  Votes  of  the  third  sitting  of  the 
third  session  (May  23-July  2,  1780)  were  not  printed. 

3  Appendix  I:  Laws,  July  i,  1780. 


26  State  of  New  York 

the  inhabitants  of  the  State.  The  deportation  involved 
wives  and,  "  at  their  Discretion,"  all  or  any  of  their  children 
not  above  the  age  of  twelve  years.  Their  departure  was 
conditioned  to  be  within  twenty  days  after  notice.  This 
notification  was  to  be  given  by  the  justices  of  peace  resident  in 
each  ward,  town,  manor,  precinct  and  district  or,  in  the 
absence  of  or  for  want  of  a  justice,  by  the  supervisor,  and  in 
lieu  of  both  by  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies.  But  any 
three  commissioners  could  issue  permits  and  put  an  estoppel 
upon  removal.  As  soon  as  a  justice  of  the  peace  or  a  super- 
visor notified  persons  to  depart,  certification  of  their  names 
and  characters  was  to  be  given  to  some  one  board  of  the 
commissioners.  The  next  year,  by  the  act  of  March  22, 
178 1,1  the  commissioners,  and  each  of  them,  or  such  person 
or  persons  as  were  authorized  by  the  governor,  had  power 
to  order  the  wives  of  tories  to  depart  the  State,  in  like  manner 
entrusted  to  justices  of  the  peace  and  supervisors  by  the  act  of 
July  I,  1780.  This  new  function  gave  them  authority  "  to 
take  and  sell  all  the  Goods  and  Chattels  in  the  Possession  of 
the  Wives  of  Persons  who  have  voluntarily  gone  over  to  and 
joined,  or  shall  hereafter  go  over  to  and  join  the  Enemy, 
and  to  apply  the  Monies  arising  therefrom,  to  defraying  the 
Expence  of  removing  such  Wives,  and  such  of  their  respective 
Children  as  are  not  above  twelve  Years  of  Age,  within  the 
Lines  of  the  Enemy."  An  accounting  of  such  sales  and 
expenditures  was  required  to  be  lodged  with  the  auditor- 
general  of  the  State. 

During  the  second  meeting  of  the  fourth  session  a  number 
of  representations,  which  ventilated  grievances,  were  re- 
ceived by  both  houses  of  the  legislature  from  different 
districts  and  precincts  of  the  State.  Among  them  was  one 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  March  22,  1781. 


Introduction  27 


signed  by  a  committee  of  twenty-three  persons  chosen  by  the 
inhabitants  of  several  of  the  precincts  of  Dutchess  county. 
It  recited  fourteen  specific  grievances  as  causing  embarrass- 
ments to  the  State,  the  second  of  which  was  directed  against 
the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  and  their  powers.  Upon 
its  reception  by  the  senate,  on  February  9,  1781,  that  body 
sent  it  to  the  committee  of  the  whole.  Similarly  a  committee 
from  several  districts  of  Albany  County  signalized  the 
legislature  by  a  representation  of  seventeen  grievances, 
dated  February  16,  which  was  smothered  on  the  iyth  by 
reference  to  the  committee  of  the  whole  house.  The  fifth 
grievance  stated  that  "  the  Star  Chamber  Court  of  commis- 
sioners for  detecting  &  defeating  conspiracies  ought  to  be 
abolished  &  that  three  men  or  more  should  be  appointed  in 
each  District  by  the  civil  Magistrates  and  field  officers  of  said 
District  which  men  so  appointed  ought  to  be  authorized  & 
required  by  Law  to  examine  all  persons  of  suspicious  appear- 
ance &  characters  and  detect,  and  prevent  all  conspiracies 
and  combinations  against  the  good  people  of  this,  and  the 
United  States  by  apprehending  and  bringing  before  the  civil 
magistrates  all  enemies  to  and  Disturbers  of  the  common- 
wealth with  the  witness  against  them."1  The  nature  and 
multiplicity  of  these  grievances  precluded  separate  con- 
sideration, whereupon  both  houses  agreed  to  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  joint  committee  "  to  prepare  and  report  the  Draft 
of  an  Address  from  the  Legislature  to  their  Constituents,  on 
the  subject  of  the  several  Matters,  suggested  as  Grievances 
in  the  Representations  to  the  Legislature."2  This  address 

1  These  original  representations  are  in  Assembly  Papers  —  Miscellaneous, 
vol.  2,  pp.  1 8,  38. 

1  Senate  Votes  (fourth  session),  pp.  43,  46,  50,  64,  69;  Assembly  Journal, 
1781  (Albany,  1820),  pp.  29,  31,  52,  54.  The  address  of  the  legislature  was 
printed  in  pamphlet  form  by  Samuel  Loudon  at  Fishkill,  for  official  circulation 
among  the  people. 


28  State  of  New  York 

was  presented  and  read  in  the  senate  on  March  13,  1781, 
and  is  a  masterful  document.  It  answered  the  complaint 
against  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  in  the  following 
manner,  viz.: 

"The  extraordinary  Powers  given  to  Commissioners  for 
defeating  Conspiracies,  may  undoubtedly  be  justified  by 
our  peculiar  Situation,  and  by  the  Practice  of  all  Nations 
under  similar  Circumstances.  On  this  Occasion,  we  are 
again  impelled  to  call  on  your  Candour,  and  to  ask  (beset 
as  we  are  by  avowed  Enemies,  and  infested  with  concealed 
Traitors,  who  with  Facility  maintain  criminal  Intercourse, 
scatter  the  Seeds  of  Disaffection,  and  take  Advantage  of 
the  Credulity  of  the  Honest,  but  uninformed)  whether  it  is 
not  absolutely  necessary,  to  be  attentive  to  their  Motions, 
to  compare  Intelligence  received  from  different  Quarters, 
to  counteract  the  various  Machinations  they  are  incessantly 
practising  to  subjugate  us  to  British  Tyranny,  that  the 
Legislature  should  delegate  such  powers  as  these  Com- 
missioners are  invested  with.  From  a  Persuasion  that  you 
conceived  their  Proceedings  may,  in  some  Instances,  have 
been  improper,  we  do  you  the  Justice  to  believe,  that  hence 
your  Complaints  have  originated;  and  we  flatter  our- 
selves, that  on  a  more  serious  Consideration,  you,  as  Friends 
to  your  Country,  will  be  impressed  with  the  Necessity  of 
such  Powers,  and  that  they  will  be  obnoxious  to  none  but 
the  Disaffected.  The  Proceedings  of  these  Commissioners 
will,  however,  be  submitted  to  the  Inspection  of  a  Com- 
mittee of  both  Houses,  in  Order  to  discover  whether  they 
have  abused  their  Authority."1  Quite  in  contradistinction 
to  some  of  the  complaints  was  a  petition  received  in  the 
assembly,  on  March  5,  1781,  from  the  field  officers  and 

1  Senate  Votes  (fourth  session),  pp.  72-76. 


Introduction  29 


other  officers  of  the  militia,  and  sundry  other  inhabitants 
of  the  east  district  of  the  manor  of  Rensselaerwyck, 
against  a  number  of  inimical  persons  who  had  convened 
there,  advising  the  inhabitants  to  lay  down  their  arms  and 
give  submission  to  the  government  of  the  King  of  Great 
Britain.  These  petitioners  requested  that  the  commissioners 
for  conspiracies  be  given  legal  authority  "  to  send  such 
disaffected  persons  to  serve  on  board  of  the  fleet  of  his  most 
Christian  Majesty,  or  of  the  United  States."1 

On  February  20,  1782,  a  memorial  to  the  legislature  was 
drawn  up  by  Fonda,  Beeckman  and  Stringer,  commissioners 
for  conspiracies  in  Albany  County,  praying  that  provision  be 
made  for  defraying  contingent  charges  and  for  compensating 
them  for  their  services.  It  was  presented  in  both  senate  and 
assembly  and  referred  to  special  committees.2 

Copies  of  a  petition  were  circulated  among  the  inhab- 
itants of  Westch ester  County  early  in  1782,  directed  against 
the  commissioners  for  conspiracies.  It  recited  that,  while 
the  extraordinary  powers  with  which  they  were  invested 
might  have  been  justified  and  permissible  at  an  early  period 
of  the  war,  when  a  constitutional  form  of  government  did 
not  exist,  they  were  now  but  "  a  dead  Cost  to  the  Public 
and  entirely  unnecessary."  The  petitioners  believed  that 
through  the  vigilance  of  that  county's  whig  population  and 
the  zeal  of  its  civil  and  military  officers,  toryism  would  be 
repressed  more  effectively.  They  conceived  the  existence  of 
commissioners  for  conspiracies  to  be  contrary  to  the  intent 
of  the  constitution  of  the  State,  which  "  declares  the  civil 
and  military  Authority  sufficient  to  govern  the  People, 
where  each  Subject  may  have  a  fair  and  impartial  Trial 
by  Jury;  That  grand  Bulwark  is  here  taken  away  by  that 

1  Assembly  Journal,  1781  (Albany,  1820),  p.  50. 

*  Senate  Voles  (fifth  session),  p.  39;  Assembly  Votes  (fifth  session),  p.  52. 


30  State  of  New  York 


Board  of  Commissioners  or  otherwise  may  be  deem'd  a 
Tribunal  with  absolute  and  despotic  Power."  Seven  copies 
of  this  petition,1  signed  by  about  215  persons,  were  received 
in  the  assembly  on  March  19,  1782,  and,  after  being  read, 
the  joint  petition  was  referred  to  a  special  committee,  which 
reported  the  next  day  as  its  opinion,  that  the  act  of  June  14, 
1780,  relative  to  the  commissioners,  should  be  repealed. 
This  committee  stated  that  it  had  prepared  the  draft  of  a 
bill  for  that  purpose  and  requested  leave  to  present  it  to 
the  house.  The  title  of  the  bill  was  "  An  Act  to  authorise 
any  two  Justices  of  the  Peace,  to  enlarge  Persons  who  shall 
desert  from  the  Enemy,  and  to  repeal  the  Law  appointing 
Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies." 
It  was  ordered  to  a  second  reading.  Meanwhile,  on  March 
21,  the  assembly  received  a  petition2  from  Ebenezer  Purdy, 
Nathan  Rockwell  and  Israel  Honeywell,  three  of  the  com- 
missioners in  Westchester  County,  dated  the  4th,  which 
was  referred  to  another  committee.  These  commissioners 
alluded  to  "  some  persons  "  who  were  "  Clamorous  as  to 
their  powers."  They  did  not  "  wish  to  Insinuate  a  desire 
of  Continuing  in  the  Exercise  of  the  office  of  Commissioners, 
it  being  a  very  disagreeable  task  and  Subject  to  Aspersions." 
They  sought  means  for  resigning  and  for  justifying  their 
conduct  before  the  legislature.  On  the  22d  the  aforesaid  bill 
was  read  a  second  time  and  sent  to  a  committee  of  the  whole 
house.  Assemblyman  John  Williams,  of  Charlotte  County, 
on  April  2,  reported  that  some  progress  had  been  made  on  the 
bill,  but  that  the  committee  of  the  whole  house  wished  leave 
to  sit  again,  which  was  granted.  Evidently  this  was  as  far 
as  it  proceeded,  and  it  was  not  enacted  into  law.3 

1  Assembly  Papers  —  Miscellaneous,  vol.  2,  pp.  294-311. 

1  Idem,  vol.  2,  p.  312. 

3  Assembly  Votes  (fifth  session),  pp.  67,  69,  71,  72,  86. 


Introduction  31 


A  joint  committee  of  the  legislature  was  appointed,  on 
January  28,  1783,  to  inquire  into  the  receipt  and  expenditure 
of  public  money,  etc.,  which  reported  to  the  assembly  on  the 
3 1st.  Several  resolutions  grew  out  of  this  report,  among 
them  one  requesting  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  to 
lay  before  the  legislature  at  its  next  meeting  "a  State  of  the 
Prisoners  under  the  Care  of  their  Boards  respectively;  a 
general  State  of  their  present  Business  as  Commissioners; 
the  Amount  of  their  unsettled  Claims,  Expences  and  Receipts; 
and  a  List  of  such  Recognizances  entered  into  before  them, 
as  have  been  forfeited."1 

On  February  7, 1783,  Assemblyman  Jacob  Ford,  of  Albany 
County,  introduced  a  bill  for  the  repeal  of  the  laws  relating 
to  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies,  which  was  read  a 
second  time  on  the  8th  and  referred  to  the  committee  of  the 
whole  house,  which  on  the  2Oth  reported  progress  and  de- 
sired leave  to  sit  again.  It  was  reported  out  on  March  13 
with  an  altered  title  and  amendments,  and  ordered  engrossed; 
was  read  a  third  time  on  the  I5th,  when  debates  arose,  and 
was  passed  by  a  vote  of  nineteen  as  against  sixteen,  or  a  ma- 
jority of  only  three  votes;  was  sent  at  once  to  the  senate  for 
concurrence;  reported  back  on  March  25,  with  amendments 
made  in  senate,  which  were  agreed  to  by  the  assembly; 
whereupon  the  bill  was  sent  again  to  the  senate  for  final  pas- 
sage the  next  day.  The  council  of  revision  gave  its  approval 
on  March  27,  I783.2  Thus,  on  the  day  before  this  sixth  leg- 
islative session  terminated,  the  powers  of  the  commissioners 
were  repealed3  and  vested  in  magistrates  and  courts.  Recog- 
nizances taken  by  them,  and  not  forfeited,  were  to  be  de- 

1  Assembly  Votes  (sixth  session,  second  meeting),  pp.  99,  101,  102. 
*  Assembly  Votes  (sixth  session,  sixth  meeting),  pp.  107,  109,  124,  154,  155, 
*59>  I73»  J76,  178;  Senate  Votes  (sixth  session),  pp.  142  (two),  156,    160,    163. 
'Appendix  I:  Laws,  March  27,  1783. 


32  State  of  New  York 

livered  to  the  clerks  of  the  courts  of  general  sessions  in  the 
respective  counties  where  they  had  originated,  to  be  estreated 
or  discharged  in  like  manner  as  if  entered  into  before  such 
courts.  Forfeited  recognizances  were  to  be  given  to  the 
clerk  of  the  supreme  court  to  be  prosecuted.  The  accounts 
of  the  commissioners  were  to  be  exhibited  to  the  auditor  of 
the  State  before  the  first  Monday  of  August,  1783,  to  be  re- 
ported by  him  to  the  next  legislature.  On  or  before  May  I, 
1783,  the  commissioners  were  required  to  make  a  return  to  a 
justice  of  peace  in  the  respective  counties  in  which  they  re- 
sided, of  the  names  of  the  persons  committed  by  them  and 
the  causes  of  such  commitment,  and  no  person  committed 
could  be  discharged  before  the  last-mentioned  date.  If  any- 
one came  meanwhile  within  the  State  from  the  British  lines,  a 
justice  of  the  peace  could  cause  his  arrest  and  demand  security 
for  his  appearance  at  the  next  court  of  general  sessions  to  be 
held  in  the  county  where  the  offender  was  apprehended,  or  in- 
carcerate him  in  a  common  jail  until  security  was  procured  or 
until  the  next  meeting  of  the  general  sessions.  By  the  latter 
court  the  offender  was  subject  to  be  committed  again  to  jail 
until  the  meeting  of  the  next  court  of  oyer  and  terminer  and 
general  jail  delivery  in  the  county,  there  to  plead  his  cause. 
Numerous  petitions  were  sent  to  this  last  session  of  the  legis- 
lature during  the  war,  requesting  that  certain  persons,  who 
had  adhered  to  the  British  cause,  and  who  in  consequence  had 
been  removed  by  order  of  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies 
and  in  accordance  with  the  law,  might  be  permitted  to  return. 
In  every  case,  so  far  as  ascertained,  the  legislature  rejected 
the  prayer  of  the  petitioners  by  a  unanimous  vote.1 

1  For  example,  a  number  of  petitions  were  signed  by  a  considerable  number 
of  inhabitants  of  the  districts  of  Claverack,  Kinderhook,  Hillsdale  and  Kings, 
and  presented  in  senate  on  March  13,  1783. —  Senate  Votes  (sixth  session), 
p.  140. 


Introduction  33 


The  execution  of  the  duties  imposed  by  extraordinary 
laws  upon  the  commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  con- 
spiracies, involved  most  uncongenial  tasks.  How  they 
operated  from  time  to  time,  as  revealed  in  the  proceedings 
of  the  Albany  County  board,  the  most  important  and  active 
part  of  this  official  body  of  the  State,  is  the  subject-matter 
of  the  next  chapter. 


CHAPTER  II. 

OPERATION  OF  THE  FUNCTION  OF  THE  COMMISSIONERS  AS 
REVEALED  BY  THE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  ALBANY 
COUNTY  BOARD. 

GENERAL  STATEMENT  OP  ORGANIZATION  —  COUNTERFEITERS  —  DESERTERS— 
MURDERS  —  PASSES — PRISONERS — PROTECTION — RANGERS — RELATIONS 
WITH  OTHER  BOARDS  AND  WITH  LOCAL  COMMITTEES  —  ROBBERIES  AND 
PLUNDER  —  TORYISM  AND  DISAFFECTION  —  TREASON. 


The  men,  who  from  time  to  time  had  been  empowered  to 
exercise  the  judicial  function  as  commissioners  for  conspira- 
cies in  the  several  boards  of  this  inquisitorial  body,  were 
persons  fitted  by  former  service  for  the  new  tasks.  Several 
of  them  had  already  gained  experience  as  members  of  com- 
mittees or  other  bodies  organized  earlier  in  the  war  for 
the  suppression  of  disaffection.  Among  their  number  were 
judges  of  various  courts,  and  those  who  were,  or  had  been, 
recorders,  court  clerks,  coroners,  surrogates  and  county,  city 
or  town  clerks.  It  was  not  unusual  to  find  the  same  in- 
dividual engaged  in  several  of  the  civil  offices  coterminously, 
whilst  holding  as  well  a  commission  in  the  militia,  or  rep- 
resenting a  constituency  in  the  legislature.  For  example, 
Egbert  Benson  was  a  member  of  the  assembly  and  attorney, 
solicitor  and  advocate-general  of  the  State. 

In  the  preceding  chapter  the  legal  status  of  the  com- 
missioners for  conspiracies  has  been  traced.  Their  selection 
was  distributive  among  the  seven  counties  of  the  State  under 

35 


36  State  of  New  York 

patriot  control,  and  they  sat  generally  as  boards  in  the 
counties  of  which  they  were  residents;  but  the  authority  of 
each  commissioner  extended  over  the  entire  State,  and  he 
might  sit  with  any  board  whenever  he  happened  to  be 
present  in  any  county.  Moreover,  there  was  considerable 
intercourse  between  the  boards,  and  especially  was  this  true 
of  those  of  contiguous  counties.  Each  quorum  or  board  was 
required  by  law  to  keep  exact  minutes  of  its  proceedings.  So 
far  as  is  now  known,  no  regular  minutes  are  extant,  save  only 
those  of  the  Albany  County  board,  and  they  extend  to 
August  30,  1781,  end  abruptly  and,  manifestly,  are  incom- 
plete. The  meetings  of  this  board  were  held  mainly  in  the 
city  of  Albany;  yet,  on  occasion,  the  central  board  or  some 
of  its  members  as  sub-boards,  met  in  the  Helderbergs,  at 
Stillwater,  at  Saratoga  and  elsewhere  in  the  county.  The 
activities  of  the  whole  body  in  the  seven  counties  are  reflected 
in  pay-bills  and  other  vouchers,  State  auditor's  accounts, 
State  treasurer's  books  and  other  records,  now  in  the  office 
of  the  State  comptroller  or  among  the  archives  of  the  New 
York  State  Library.1  It  has  been  deemed  pertinent  to  give 
in  this  chapter  a  partial  analysis  of  the  ramifications  of  the 
procedure  revealed  by  the  Albany  minutes.  The  results 
are  presented  as  types,  derived  from  a  carefully  indexed 
analysis  of  the  minutes  for  the  year  1778,  and  are  supple- 
mented by  very  material  variations  of  later  date. 

On  April  24, 1778,  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr.,  was  appointed 
clerk  or  secretary  to  the  Albany  County  commissioners,  and 
took  his  oath  of  office,  promising  to  "keep  secret  all  such 
Matters  as  should  be  given  him  in  Charge,"  until  discharged 
therefrom  by  the  board.  John  M.  Beeckman,  one  of  the 
commissioners,  acted  for  a  time  as  treasurer  of  the  board, 

1  For  financial  materials  see  Appendix  II. 


Introduction 


37 


until  August  6,  1778,  when  Gansevoort  was  charged  also  with 
that  trust.1  In  the  beginning,  the  salary  of  Gansevoort  was 
ten  shillings  for  every  day's  entry  in  the  minutes.  On 
August  3,  1778,  his  pay  was  raised  to  twenty  shillings  per 
day,  "it  being  the  same  Pay  allowed  by  the  Commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie."  Evidently,  this  extra  allowance  had  also 
some  relation  to  his  enlarged  duties,  committed  to  him  three 
days  later.  Expenditures  by  the  secretary-treasurer  were 
authorized  or  approved  by  the  commissioners  in  session,  and 
to  them  he  was  obliged  to  report.  When  the  commissioners 
entrusted  funds  to  any  of  their  own  members  or  to  military 
officers,  they  were  likewise  required  to  make  an  accounting.2 
Jacob  Kidney  was  doorkeeper  to  the  board.3  He  also  served 
warrants  upon  recalcitrant  citizens,  apparently  in  the  ca- 
pacity of  a  constable.4 

Counterfeiters  —  By  an  act  of  March  8,  1778,  it  was  made 
a  felony  without  benefit  of  clergy  to  counterfeit  any  true  bill 
of  credit  issued  by  or  thereafter  to  be  issued  by  the  authority 
of  Congress,  or  by  the  authority  of  any  provincial  congress  or 
any  convention  of  the  State  of  New  York,  before  or  since  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  or  by  authority  of  the  legis- 
lature of  any  other  of  the  States  since  July  4,  1776,  or  to  alter 
by  raising  the  amount  of  any  true  bill  of  credit,  or  to  attempt 
to  pass  such  paper,  or  bring  into  the  State  any  such  paper, 
knowing  the  same  to  be  counterfeit  or  altered.5  The  same 
substance  was  contained  in  the  similar  act  of  March  27, 1781 .6 
By  the  act  of  November  20,  1781,  counterfeiting  French 

1  See  May  23;  June  18;  July  29;  August  6,  1778;  June  28,  1780. 
1  August  14;  September  15;  December  i,  1778. 
'  February  15;  June  30,  1779;  June  28,  1780. 

4  January  29;  July  10,  u;  August  15,  1780. 

5  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  60. 

6  Ibid,  p.  1 88. 


38  State  of  New  York 

crowns  or  silver  French  crowns  was  likewise  constituted  a 
felony  without  benefit  of  clergy.1  The  offence  was  extended, 
by  an  act  of  April  1 1,  1782,  to  cover  counterfeiting,  raising  or 
passing  with  knowledge  notes  of  the  Bank  of  North  America.3 
In  such  cases  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  issued  a 
warrant  to  the  constable  of  the  particular  district  for  appre- 
hending and  committing  the  culprit,  and  the  warrant  also 
commanded  the  keeper  of  the  jail  to  receive  him  into  his 
custody.3  When  guards  were  placed  over  such  prisoners, 
the  commissioners  paid  them.4  The  discovery  of  counterfeit 
money  upon  the  person  of  the  accused  prisoner  led  to  an  ex- 
amination, which  was  reduced  to  writing,  and  was  followed 
by  close  confinement.5  If  the  prisoner  had  also  good  money 
in  his  possession,  it  was  used  toward  reimbursing  those  whom 
he  had  defrauded  with  counterfeits.  This  good  money  was 
deposited  with  the  treasurer  of  the  board.6  The  commission- 
ers advertised  in  the  newspapers,  even  those  of  other  States, 
calling  upon  persons,  who  had  been  imposed  upon,  to  bring 
the  counterfeit  money  to  them,  in  order  to  receive  in  lieu 
thereof  good  money.7  If  they  came  from  a  distance,  as  was 
often  the  case,  the  board  allowed  them  an  additional  amount 
to  reimburse  them  for  their  expenses  in  coming  before  the 
commissioners  as  witnesses.8  They  summoned  a  man  for 
"endeavoring  by  every  Means  in  his  Power  to  depreciate  the 
Credit  of  the  Paper  Currency  emitted  by  the  Congress  of  the 
United  States,"  and  put  him  under  a  bond  of  £5,000, 

1  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  210. 

*Ibid,  pp.  236-237. 

»May  13,  1778. 

« June  4,  1778. 

•November  13,  1778. 

•November  14,  1778. 

'November  21,  1778;  February  22,  1779. 

•November  19,  1778. 


Introduction  39 


"neither  by  himself  or  his  Agents  to  raise  an  Exhorbitant 
Price  on  the  Sale  of  any  Goods,  Wares  or  Merchandizes  or 
Purchase  or  sell  any  at  an  exhorbitant  Price  or  unjust 
Profit."1 

Deserters  —  Persons  who  had  been  taken  as  prisoners  by 
Brant's  party  and  effected  an  escape,  appeared  before  the 
commissioners,  from  time  to  time,  to  exonerate  themselves 
from  the  suspicion  of  toryism.  Others,  who  had  started  on 
their  way  to  join  Brant,  reported,  returned  to  their  abodes  and 
were  placed  under  a  recognizance  and  bail  for  their  appear- 
ance at  the  next  supreme  court  of  judicature  to  be  held  at 
the  city  hall  of  Albany,  whilst  some  were  closely  confined. 
Not  a  few  of  those  whom  the  board  released,  and  who  re- 
turned to  their  homes,  were  afterwards  implicated  in  rob- 
beries or  proved  to  be  otherwise  troublesome.  The  board 
even  granted  a  gratuity  to  a  deserter  from  Brant  and  Butler 
for  important  information  imparted  by  him  and  for  his  offer 
to  go  out  again  as  a  spy,  to  discover  the  future  movements  of 
the  enemy.2  Deserters,  who  had  joined  Burgoyne,  requested 
reinstatement  in  their  country's  favor  and  took  the  oath  of 
fidelity,  or  were  put  under  a  recognizance  for  their  future  good 
behavior  and  monthly  appearance  before  one  or  more  of  the 
commissioners.  Similarly,  Hessians  and  other  deserters 
from  Burgoyne's  army,  or  other  British  attachments,  upon 
taking  the  oath,  were  given  a  pass  to  go  at  large  in  Albany 
County;  were  put  under  a  recognizance  or,  when  considered 
dangerous  to  the  State,  were  confined.  Intercession  on  be- 
half of  these  persons  was  sometimes  made  by  some  of  the 
principal  people  of  a  locality,  who  requested  that  a  domicile 

•January  4,  12,  13,  1779. 

*For  examples  see  October  31;  November  4,  21;  December  4,  1778;  May 
27,  1779. 


40  State  of  New  York 

amongst  them  be  granted.  Some  of  the  Hessians  to  whom 
favor  had  been  shown,  were  later  discovered  as  perpetrators 
of  robberies,  and  were  recommitted.  The  board  would  not 
liberate  one  of  Burgoyne's  German  allies,  because  he  was  a 
prisoner  of  war  and  "  under  the  direction  of  the  Military 
power."  Deserters  from  the  American  army  were  turned 
over  to  the  military  authorities.1 

Murders  —  It  does  not  appear  that  the  commissioners  had 
extra-judicial  authority  over  persons  suspected  of  murder. 
They  were  concerned  with  their  arrest,  and  ordered  the 
release  upon  recognizance  of  such  a  person  who  had  been 
indicted,  tried  and  acquitted.2 

Passes  —  The  commissioners  issued  passes  to  enable  per- 
sons to  enter  an  American  camp  or  place  under  patriot  con- 
trol, whether  in  or  outside  of  the  State.  They  also  made 
operative  passes  to  Canada  that  had  originated  with  military 
officers,  but  which,  meanwhile,  had  lapsed.  Upon  receiving 
a  request  for  a  pass  from  a  wife,  for  herself  and  family,  to  go 
into  the  British  lines  of  New  York  City,  the  board  gave  her  a 
certificate,  which  stated  that  the  commissioners  did  not 
object  to  the  granting  of  her  request  for  removal.  In  another 
case,  a  pass  was  refused  because  the  granting  of  it  lay  prop- 
erly with  General  Stark;  yet  the  board  recommended  to 
Stark  that  the  person  be  given  permission  "  to  go  to  Cherry 
Valley  to  fetch  from  thence  his  Family  and  Effects."  But  the 
board  refused  an  appeal  from  a  tory's  wife,  on  the  ground 
that  no  permit  or  indulgence  could  be  given  "  to  any  part  of  a 
Family  whereof  the  Husband  or  Master"  had  "so  far  deviated 
from  humane  principles  as  to  associate  with  Barbarians  &  as- 

1  For  examples  see  April  14,  15,  16,  18,  29;  June  i,  9,  10,  15,  25,  29;  July  16; 
August  12,  13,  15,  21 ;  September  4,  14;  November  17,  21,  1778;  January  25; 
February  2,  12;  June  2,  3,  5,  9,  30;  July  2,  9,  10,  1779;  July  5;  August  26,  1780. 

*June  13,  17,  1778. 


Introduction  41 


sisting  in  Imbruing  his  hands  in  the  Blood  of  Women  and 
Children  and  peaceable  Inhabitants.'*  Military  prisoners 
who  wished  to  make  a  direct  appeal  to  Governor  Clinton  for 
their  exchange,  were  granted  passes  as  far  as  Poughkeepsie. 
A  sloop  was  allowed  to  go  down  to  New  York  City,  on  pro- 
viso that  the  owner  procured  a  sufficient  bail  for  its  im- 
mediate return.  An  applicant  for  a  pass  to  Charlotte 
County  was  told  to  apply  to  the  board  there.  Passes  were 
granted  to  other  States,  for  example  to  New  Jersey  and  Penn- 
sylvania. The  board  refused  a  pass  to  Bennington,  Vermont, 
unless  the  applicant  could  furnish  a  favorable  recommenda- 
tion from  a  known  whig.  In  another  case,  favorable  consider- 
ation was  contingent  upon  an  acceptable  certificate  from  an 
officer  of  the  militia.  On  July  28,  1779,  the  board  ordered 
that  in  future  no  passes  would  be  granted,  unless  by  vote  of 
three  commissioners,  and  only  then  upon  a  proper  recom- 
mendation. Similar  procedure  was  requested  by  the  board  of 
the  justices  of  peace  in  Albany.  A  person  apprehended  for 
forging  a  pass  was  closely  confined  by  the  board.1 

Prisoners  —  The  arrest  of  persons  suspected  or  known  to 
be  guilty  of  disaffection  varied  in  procedure.  Generally  the 
commissioners  ordered  their  arrest  by  rangers  or  other 
military  authorities,  by  individual  citizens,  and  by  publi- 
cation in  the  newspapers.  A  warrant  for  arrest  was  issued 
in  most  cases  after  charges  preferred  by  some  whig.  It  was 
of  course  the  duty  of  every  true  citizen  of  the  State  to  reveal 
the  identity  of  disloyalty  in  any  form.  When  persons  re- 
fused to  reveal  information  which  was  requested  of  them, 
they  were  themselves  sent  to  prison.2  Under  these  circum- 

1  For  examples  of  the  different  cases  see  under  June  10,  22,  24;  August  12, 
*3>  15»  *7>  2I»  31;  September  7,  14,  18,  29;  October  i,  6,  10,  13,  15,  1778; 
January  4,  5,  8;  February  15;  April  9;  June  8,  18,  19;  July  28,  1779. 

2  July  3,  1778. 


42  State  of  New  York 


stances  it  was  not  unusual  that  suspicious  persons  construed 
Dame  Rumor  to  the  damnation  off  their  neighbors,  and  that 
revengeful  spirits  were  afforded  an  outlet.  But  the  commis- 
sioners for  conspiracies  discharged  many  unfortuate  indi- 
viduals in  whom  they  found  no  fault  of  disloyalty.  Charges 
were  also  preferred  against  persons  on  the  initiative  of  those 
who  had  arrested  them,  and  without  previous  order  from  the 
commissioners.  Some  suspects  surrendered  themselves. 
When  ordered  by  publication  to  appear  at  a  designated  time, 
default  was  punishable  in  like  manner  as  provided  by  law  for 
persons  of  equivocal  and  suspected  characters.1  The  opera- 
tion of  discharges  of  prisoners  varied  greatly.  Accused  per- 
sons were  fully  exonerated,  or  allowed  to  go  at  large  on  their 
honor,  or  were  kept  within  certain  bounds,  or  were  put  under 
recognizance  and  bail  for  their  future  good  behaviour,  or 
required  to  appear  before  the  board  or  a  commissioner  daily 
or  monthly  or  when  called  upon,  or  to  present  themselves 
at  the  meetings  of  designated  courts.  Some  were  enlarged 
on  condition  of  their  joining  the  continental  army.  Bail 
varied  all  the  way  from  £40  to  ^5,ooo.2  The  obligation  of 
appearance  at  stated  times  of  those  under  recognizances  was 
not  always  heeded;  hence,  on  August  u,  1779,  the  Albany 
commissioners  ordered  advertisements  to  be  posted  through- 
out the  county,  commanding  all  persons  under  such  a  release 
to  appear  before  them  on  the  last  day  of  that  month,  or  suffer 
prosecution.  During  the  summer  of  1780,  many  persons 
were  required  to  enter  into  new  recognizances,  at  an  enlarged 
amount,  on  account  of  the  depreciated  state  of  the  continental 
money.  In  August  of  that  year,  the  commissioners  ordered 
the  appearance  of  bailed  prisoners,  accompanied  by  their 

» For  examples  see  August  13,  25;  September  24;  October  2,  6,  13,  1778. 
•  January  13,  1779. 


Introduction  43 


sureties,  and  in  case  of  failure,  they  were  to  be  proceeded 
against  for  the  amount  of  the  surety.  The  board  was  not 
always  certain  of  the  sufficiency  of  those  who  offered  to  go 
bail,  and  in  such  cases  accepted  the  recommendation  of  a 
local  committee.  After  June  30,  17/8,  the  oath  was  made 
the  supreme  test.1  By  an  act  of  April  i,  1778,  affirmation  by 
raising  of  hands,  a  concession  to  Quakers,  was  permissible.2 
But  the  Quakers  piteously  objected  to  the  wording  of  the 
oath  and  petitioned  the  legislature  for  relief.3 

When  the  commissioners  began  their  work  in  Albany,  on 
April  13,  1778,  they  received  a  return  of  the  prisoners  who 
were  confined  in  the  city  jail,  and  ordered  letters  to  be 
written  to  the  several  district  committees  from  whence  these 
persons  had  been  sent,  and  requested  an  account  of  the 
crimes  for  which  they  had  been  committed.  The  board 
found  that  local  committees,  for  example  in  Saratoga  district 
and  Charlotte  County,  were  exercising  functions  which  be- 
longed properly  to  commissioners  for  conspiracies,  and 
stopped  them.  But  when  two  military  officers  reported  the 
names  of  certain  persons  who  had  joined  Burgonyne's  army, 
yet  were  believed  likely  to  return  to  their  allegiance  to  the 
State,  the  commissioners  authorized  these  officers  to  examine 
them  and  make  out  recognizances  at  Ballston.4  Moreover, 
the  board  objected  to  the  over-zealous  action  of  certain 
whigs  who,  not  authorized  by  law,  attempted  to  order  dis- 
affected persons  "  to  move  off",  and  who  threatened  them  in 
case  they  procrastinated.  The  board  adjudged  that  such 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  June  30,  1778. 

1  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  25. 

1  Assembly  Papers  —  Miscellaneous,  vol.  i,  pp.  49-62.  See  also  for 
Shakers,  who  refused  to  bear  arms,  July  7,  n,  17,  24,  26;  August  26;  December 
4,  1780. 

4  April  15,  1778. 


44  State  of  New  York 


disaffected  persons  must  be  brought  before  the  commis- 
sioners, accompanied  by  the  charges  against  them.1  When 
in  doubt  as  to  the  propriety  of  permitting  particular  persons 
to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance,  the  commissioners  resolved  to 
take  the  opinion  of  the  judges  of  the  supreme  court.2  The 
board  could  issue  a  mittimus  to  a  sheriff  for  committing  a 
prisoner;  and  also  abrogated  and  voided  a  mittimus  so  as 
to  enable  judges  to  issue  habeas  corpuses.3  Judges  and 
magistrates  were  prevented  by  law  from  bailing  any  person 
committed  by  a  mittimus  issued  by  the  commissioners. 
Paroles  were  issued,  and  at  times  provided  with  restrictions 
upon  opinion  of  the  governor.  Paroles  were  also  disallowed.4 
Petitions  were  received  from  prisoners,  heard  and  disposed 
of,5  and  were  sometimes  referred  by  the  legislature.6  The 
board  took  cognizance  of  defamation  of  military  officers  or 
its  own  members,  by  binding  the  guilty  party,  or  exacting  a 
satisfactory  concession.7  When  General  Stark  discharged 
a  negro,  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  said  he  had  done  it  by  consent 
of  the  commissioners,  they  disowned  it  and  immediately  in- 
formed the  sheriff  that  the  negro  was  in  no  wise  under  their 
directions,  hence  they  could  not  give  their  "  assent  or  dissent 
to  his  discharge."8  In  May,  1778,  Stephen  Bell,  the  Albany 
jailer,  reported  that  the  jail  was  overcrowded,  whereupon  the 
board  ordered  the  removal  of  a  number  of  prisoners  to  the 
fort.  Prisoners  were  sent  to  Albany  from  Dutchess  and  other 

1  July  3°"»  August  8,  1778. 
•August  i,  1778. 

» June  14,  24;  September  10,  n,  1778.     See  also  July  13,  1780. 
4 September  28;  October  30,  1778;  January  12;  February  22,  1779. 
•October  i,  31,  1778. 

•  Votes  and  Proceedings  of  the  Assembly.  First  session.     Kingston:  John 
Holt,  1777,  p.  15. 

7  June  24,  1778;  May  27,  1779. 
•September  14,  1778. 


Introduction  45 


counties.1  A  tory  from  Hartford,  Conn.,  who  held  a  major's 
commission  in  the  British  service,  was  sent  from  Northamp- 
ton jail  by  the  council  of  Massachusetts  to  be  confined  by  the 
Albany  board,2  and  was  released  on  December  I,  1778,  on  a 
bond  of  £1,000,  because  the  board  believed  he  had  under- 
gone "  Imprisonment  sufficiently  long".  An  ensign  from 
Sir  John  Johnson's  corps  apprehended  at  Danby,  in  Char- 
lotte County,  was  brought  before  the  Albany  board,  and  was 
examined  and  committed.3  In  a  letter  to  Massachusetts, 
about  a  person  concealed  somewhere  near  Worcester,  the 
board  requested  that  the  man  be  "  instantly  apprehended  if 
possible  "  and  sent  to  Albany.*  A  prisoner  confined  by  a 
court  martial  was  brought  before  the  board,  examined,  dis- 
charged and  given  a  pass  to  go  to  Hartford,  Conn.5  A  num- 
ber of  persons  were  captured  by  the  Oneida  Indians  and 
were  sent  to  the  board.  They  were  examined  and  discharged 
forthwith,  with  or  without  bail,  in  virtually  every  case.8 
Women  as  well  as  men  were  sent  to  prison.7  On  April  20, 
1778,  the  board  protested  to  the  commanding  officer  against 
the  undue  liberty  granted  to  prisoners  in  the  garrison.  Six 
months  later  Governor  Clinton  wrote  the  board  that  he  had 
learned  that  patriot  prisoners  were  being  treated  with  less 
rigor  than  formerly  by  the  British,  and  requested  that  cer- 
tain tory  prisoners  in  Albany  "  be  released  from  their  present 
Confinement  and  placed  in  another  as  easy  and  mild  as  the 
board  could  possibly  make  it  to  them."8  In  June,  1778,  the 

1  April  23,  30,  1778;  September  10,  1779. 

*July  10,  1778. 

1  September  4,  1780. 

4  September  4,  1778 

•September  14,  1778. 

•October  23,  27,  31;  November  2;  December  10,  1778. 

T  August  10,  it,  1778. 

8  October  27,  1778. 


46  State  of  New  York 

board  ordered  the  arrest  of  a  person  employed  as  a  secret 
express  in  conveying  letters  from  New  York  City  to  tories, 
and  that  the  papers  or  their  contents  be  revealed  immediately.1 
By  the  act  of  June  30,  1780,  all  persons  who  came  from  the 
British  lines  and  were  found  lurking  secretly  in  any  part 
of  the  State,  were  to  be  tried  by  courts  martial  as  spies.3 

Overcrowded  jails  were  not  conducive  to  health,  and  many 
prisoners  became  ill.  Usually  the  jailer  recommended  their 
removal  to  the  hospital,  which  was  followed  by  an  order  from 
the  board  to  the  director  of  the  hospital.  They  included 
wounded,  "exceedingly  ill"  persons,  and  smallpox  cases. 
Sickness  was  a  good  plea  for  liberation  and  such  requests 
were  not  infrequent,  and  were  sometimes  granted.  In  a 
particular  case,  the  request  was  refused,  but  a  weekly  allow- 
ance was  given  for  the  subsistence  of  the  person  during  his 
illness,  because  he  was  one  "whose  Evidence  may  be  of  the 
utmost  Consequence  to  the  State".  Dangerous  persons  were 
also  allowed  to  be  removed  to  the  hospital.  In  such  a  case 
General  Stark  was  requested  by  the  board  "to  order  a 
Gentry  to  be  placed  at  the  Door  of  the  Room".  Other  pre- 
cautions were  taken  against  escape,  by  requiring  the  director 
of  the  hospital  to  report,  from  time  to  time,  the  condition  of 
the  health  of  certain  confined  prisoners.  When  he  reported 
their  recovery,  they  were  at  once  ordered  to  be  remanded  to 
the  jail.  On  September  4,  1778,  the  board  ordered  Dr. 
Joseph  Young,  the  director  of  the  Albany  Hospital,  "to  re- 
ceive into  the  Hospital  such  State  Prisoners"  as  the  board 
might  send  him  "and  provide  them  with  such  Things  as  he 
shall  think  necessary  for  their  Nourishment  and  Recovery  of 
their  Health,  and  keep  an  accurate  Account  of  the  whole, 

1  June  1 8;  20,  23,  1778. 

8  Laws  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  143. 


Introduction 


47 


which  we  will  pay  either  in  Money  at  the  Current  Price  of  the 
Articles  expended,  or  return  the  like  Quantity  and  Quality 
to  the  issuing  Commissary  of  the  Northern  Department,  as 
may  best  suit  the  Director  of  the  Hospital  for  the  Time 
being."  A  very  sick  woman  was  allowed  to  be  removed  to 
a  house  in  the  city,  and  a  husband  and  his  "very"  sick  wife 
were  released  on  a  recognizance,  not  to  go  out  of  the  city's 
limits,  and  to  "appear  once  a  Day"  before  the  board.  A 
prisoner  on  parole  in  Schodack  district  was  allowed  to  return 
to  his  home  in  Kinderhook  for  a  few  days  because  his  wife 
was  "exceedingly  ill",  yet  he  was  not  to  exceed  the  limits 
of  his  farm  while  there.  Another  prisoner  whose  wife  was 
"in  a  very  distressed  condition"  and  "shortly  to  be  brought  to 
bed",  was  released  on  recognizance  and  bail.1 

Protection  —  In  the  case  of  a  person  who  desired  to  go  to 
the  German  Flats,  but  who  was  apprehensive  of  being  mal- 
treated by  inhabitants  of  Tryon  County,  protection  was 
given  him  for  his  security.2  When  appealed  to  for  protec- 
tion by  the  wife  and  family  of  a  tory  confined  in  jail,  the  board 
enjoined  "all  officers  both  Civil  and  Milatary  [sic]  &  all  other 
Persons  whatsoever"  from  molesting  them.8 

Rangers  —  Captain  John  Ryley4  and  fifteen  men  were 
employed,  on  May  1 1, 1778,  by  the  Albany  commissioners  for 
conspiracies  "for  the  Purpose  of  ranging  about  the  Woods 

1  For  examples  see  May  6,  n,  13,  21,  22;  August  3,  14,  19,  22,  29,  31;  Sep- 
tember 3,  4,  7,  10,  18,  19,  22,  24;  October  8,  19;  November  3,  1778;  June  19, 
1779;  August  2,  24,  31;  September  23;  October  7,  1780. 

4  October  7,  1778. 

'September  14,  1778. 

4  Ryley  had  served  at  the  head  of  a  similar  contingent  of  rangers  for  the 
Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany,  from  August,  1777,  until 
January  10,  1778.  He  sought  at  various  times  to  collect  the  amount  of  his 
pay-roll,  and  as  late  as  January  13,  1789,  he  petitioned  the  legislature  in  the 
matter.  He  signed  his  name  "  John  Reilay." —  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  22,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


48  State  of  New  York 

and  doing  such  Services  as  should  be  requested  of  them", 
until  the  last  day  of  October  following.  They  were  to  re- 
ceive six  shillings  per  day  and  one  ration  of  provisions,  and 
promised  "to  obey  the  Orders  of  said  Commissioners  or  any 
three  of  them  and  the  Orders  of  such  Officers  as  they  may 
think  proper  to  set  over  us."  Before  entrance  upon  the  serv- 
ice, each  member  was  required  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance. 
On  May  18,  Ryley  and  his  men  appeared  before  the  board  to 
receive  their  instructions,  and  were  sent  to  Kinderhook,  there 
to  await  orders  from  one  of  the  commissioners,  before  pro- 
ceeding to  Coxsackie  to  execute  them.  From  time  to  time 
Ryley  was  instructed  to  apprehend  persons,  particularly 
those  suspected  of  or  known  to  have  taken  part  in  robberies, 
and  to  search  for  stolen  property.  He  also  brought  in 
Hessian  deserters  and  others  on  his  own  account.  On  June 
13,  the  board  notified  the  commissioners  at  Poughkeepsie  that 
it  had  been  "under  Necessity  to  raise  a  Party  of  15  Rangers", 
to  whom  was  paid  six  shillings  per  day  and  rations,  and 
asked  how  much  allowance  the  Poughkeepsie  board  made 
"to  such  Parties  of  the  Militia  as  bring  in  Prisoners'*.  On 
the  same  day  application  was  made  for  a  party  of  continental 
troops  as  an  additional  guard,  to  be  under  the  direction  of 
Captain  Ryley,  and  for  a  bateau  for  the  guard.  Two  hun- 
dred dollars  were  ordered  to  be  paid  to  Ryley  on  account,  on 
June  1 8.  The  board  applied  to  the  assemblymen  from 
Albany  County,  on  June  20,  "to  endeavour  to  procure  an  Act 
for  the  Purpose  of  raising  another  Company  of  Rangers", 
to  be  under  their  command.  On  June  22,  Captain  Ryley 
presented  a  pay-roll  to  date  of  £283  IQS.,  which  was  allowed, 
minus  the  amount  paid  before  on  account.  When  Ryley  was 
sent  to  ferret  out  tories  in  the  Helderbergs  and  at  Oniskethau, 
he  was  told  that  he  might  apply  to  the  militia  officers  for  rein- 


Introduction  49 


forcements,  in  case  his  own  contingent  was  insufficient.  The 
board,  having  received  a  letter  from  the  commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie,  on  July  1 8,  ordered  that  Ryley's  rangers  be 
discharged,  and  that  he  be  served  with  a  copy  of  the  resolu- 
tion. On  the  2oth  Ryley  was  ordered  to  appear  immediately 
before  them,  and  he,  presenting  himself,  received  his  dis- 
charge with  his  company.  On  August  12,  Ryley  was  granted 
fifty  pounds  for  his  men,  to  be  deducted  from  his  pay-roll. 
Mathew  Aerson,  ferryman,  was  granted  £8  ijs  4d.,  for 
services  in  ferrying  Ryley's  company  across  the  Hudson 
River  at  various  times.  The  full  pay-roll  was  presented  by 
Ryley  on  September  18,  and  amounted,  "from  the  Time  of 
their  Inlistment  being  the  n*/1  May  1778  till  20^  Day  of 
July  now  last  past,"  to  £460  1 8s.  4d.,  part  of  which,  as 
already  shown,  was  paid  before  on  account.  He  was  also 
paid  a  gratuity  for  apprehending  a  person  who  committed  a 
robbery.1 

The  Albany  board  continued  to  employ  rangers  or  militia 
detachments  —  a  practice  not  uncommon  among  the  boards 
throughout  the  State,  as  is  witnessed  by  pay-bills  or  vouchers 
yet  in  existence.  On  May  18,  1779,  the  Albany  commission- 
ers ordered  the  payment  of  an  account  of  £25,  presented  by 
Captain  Stephen  Hayt,  for  bringing  from  Claverack  to 
Albany  the  company  of  Captain  Smith's  rangers,  together 
with  a  number  of  robbers  and  tories.  On  the  27th  of  the 
same  month,  the  board  made  out  instructions  for  a  volunteer 
company  of  rangers,  raised  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  Manor 
of  Rensselaerwyck,  residing  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hudson, 
to  be  commanded  by  Captain  Jacob  De  Forest,  and  to  be 
under  the  direction  of  the  board.  On  June  9,  General  Ten 

1  May  ii,  18,  27;  June  3,  12,  13,  18,  19,  20,  22,  29,  July  I,  14,  18,  20- August 
12;  September  15,  18;  October  3,  1778. 


50  State  of  New  York 

Broeck  was  requested  to  furnish  ammunition  to  this  con- 
tingent, which  operated  for  the  safeguarding  of  its  own  home 
territory.  The  frequency  of  robberies  in  the  Helderbergs 
and  contiguous  regions  induced  the  board,  on  July  2,  1779, 
to  consider  the  raising  of  another  company  of  rangers,  to  be 
under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Thomas  Ismay.  Orders 
for  this  body  were  issued  on  August  2  and  8,  and  at  other 
times.  On  September  14,  1779,  the  board  discharged 
De  Forest's  rangers,  because  their  services  were  no  longer 
needed;  and  on  February  9,  1780,  certified  the  pay-roll  of 
Ismay's  rangers,  amounting  to  £91  195.  6d.,  "being  the  full 
Amount  of  the  Pay  and  Subsistance  Roll  of  the  Party  of 
Militia"  under  his  command.  The  disturbances  occasioned 
by  disaffected  inhabitants  of  Albany  County,  and  the  crying 
demand  for  enforcing  the  laws  against  them,  determined  the 
board,  on  June  30,  1780,  to  authorize  Lieutenant  Philip 
Staats,  of  Colonel  Killian  Van  Rensselaer's  regiment,  to 
engage  "about  ten  men",  who  were  to  provide  themselves 
"with  a  good  Horse  &  proper  Arms  and  Accoutrements", 
and  who  were  to  be  allowed  the  same  pay  as  given  to  the 
cavalry  of  the  army  of  the  United  States,  together  with  an 
allowance  for  horse-hire  and  subsistence.  Samuel  Stringer, 
one  of  the  members  of  the  board,  was  requested,  on  August 
1 1,  1780,  to  propose  to  John  Tillman  that  he  raise  a  company 
of  rangers,  to  be  under  his  command  and  under  the  direction 
of  the  commissioners.1 

Relations  with  other  Boards  and  with  Local  Committees  — 
The  Albany  board  was  appealed  to  for  funds  by  the  Charlotte 
County  board  at  New  Perth,  and  agreed  to  forward  the 
amount  requested  from  one  thousand  pounds  to  be  drawn 

1  As  under  dates  cited  in  the  text. 


Introduction  51 


from  the  State  treasurer.  It  also  recommended  to  the  latter 
board  to  exercise  "the  Utmost  Frugality,"  otherwise  the 
allowance  made  by  the  State  would  be  insufficient  and 
deficiencies  might  be  made  good  only  "attended  with  the 
greatest  Difficulties."1  It  also  advised  that  board  as  to  its 
conduct  toward  certain  families  who  had  returned  to  their 
habitations  under  a  tie  of  neutrality  to  the  British  king. 
These  families  were  too  numerous  to  be  removed  or  dealt 
with  in  a  rigorous  manner,  hence  the  Albany  commissioners 
counseled  humane  treatment  of  women  and  children  "who 
otherwise  might  be  culpable  for  the  Crimes  of  their  Parents 
&  Husbands,"  and  that  they  be  summoned  before  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Charlotte  County  board,  to  be  by  them  examined, 
instructed  as  to  their  obligations  to  the  State,  and  other 
duties  necessary  to  their  reinstatement  "in  the  Benefits  and 
Priveledges  that  every  faithful  Subject  will  enjoy  under  a  free 
Constitution."2  The  Albany  board  received  into  custody 
prisoners  sent  by  other  boards  and  by  local  committees,  and 
likewise  sent  persons  to  be  committed  in  other  places.  A 
correspondence  was  kept  up  with  the  Poughkeepsie  board  in 
particular,  and  with  those  of  Charlotte  County,  Tryon 
County  and  other  places  in  general.  Letters  sent  or  received 
are  noted  in  the  minutes  as  having  passed  between  the  board 
and  many  local  committees,  all  the  way  from  Bennington, 
Vermont,  to  Fredericksburgh,  Dutchess  County.  Much  of 
this  intercourse  related  to  prisoners  and  arrests.3  The  State 
funds  for  the  use  of  the  Albany  board  were  often  forwarded 
through  the  commissioners  at  Poughkeepsie. 

>May  15,  1778. 

*May  15,  1778. 

•  For  examples  see  April  21;  May  i,  2,  19,  20;  August  14;  September  n,  30; 
October  i;  November  23;  December  9,  1778;  April  20;  May  4;  June  2,  19; 
July  14;  September  22,  1779;  July  21,  1780;  January  29,  1781. 


52  State  of  New  York 

Robberies  and  Plunder  —  The  apprehension  of  robbers 
formed  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  urgent  activities  of  the 
commissioners  for  conspiracies  of  the  Albany  County  board. 
Arrests  were  made  by  rangers  and  detachments  of  militia, 
and  even  men  of  the  line  were  detailed  by  their  commanders 
upon  request  of  the  board.  Not  infrequently  persons  were 
brought  before  the  board  under  allegations  of  being  con- 
cerned in  certain  robberies,  or  of  being  able  to  give  material 
information  against  perpetrators.  In  a  large  number  of 
cases  no  evidence  was  procurable,  or  innocence  was  proved, 
and  the  accused  were  discharged.  In  a  lesser  number  of  in- 
stances the  evidence  was  conclusive,  and  prisoners  even  con- 
fessed their  guilt.  Likewise,  persons  who  acted  as  fences  for 
robbers  were  seized  and  confined.  The  Albany  board  took 
cognizance  of  robberies  committed  in  Dutchess  County,  and 
requested  the  removal  to  Albany  of  a  person  under  arrest  at 
Bennington,  Vermont,  for  a  robbery  committed  in  Dutchess 
County.1  Those  who  had  suffered  from  robberies  in  this 
county  were  granted  permission  to  go  to  Albany,  there  to 
interrogate  the  thieves  concerning  the  places  where  the 
stolen  effects  had  been  secreted.  This  investigation  was 
done  in  the  presence  of  one  of  the  commissioners.2 

The  board  directed  search  to  be  made  for  stolen  property, 
even  when  the  robbery  had  been  committed  a  long  time  prior 
to  the  apprehension  of  the  thief.3  When  stolen  money  or 
other  personal  property  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  board, 
it  was  placed  in  the  custody  of  the  treasurer  of  the  board,  or  of 
some  officer  or  citizen  designated  for  that  purpose,  or  was 
returned  by  an  order  to  the  rightful  owner.  From  the 
minutes  of  July  27,  1778,  we  learn  that  there  had  been  fre- 

1  April  21,  1778.     See  also  April  27,  30,  1778. 
•September  25,  30,  1778. 
»May  27,  1778. 


Introduction  53 


quent  complaints  of  robberies  committed  on  the  east  side  of 
Hudson  River,  which  had  "become  intolerable".  It  was 
believed  that  the  ringleaders  might  be  apprehended,  and  the 
board  requested  Captain  Jacob  DeForest  to  collect  a  com- 
pany of  militia,  not  to  exceed  fifty  men,  "to  go  in  Quest  of  the 
Perpetrators"  and  "apprehend  and  safely  convey  them"  to 
the  board.  He  was  also  authorized  to  search  "in  every  sus- 
pected House  for  Papers  &  stolen  Goods,"  whereof  he  was 
to  make  a  true  return  to  the  board;  and  "to  apprehend  all 
Strangers"  who  had  not  "sufficient  Authority  to  be  at  large 
in  the  Compass  of  the  Rout"  taken  by  him  and  his  men. 
The  Helderbergs  and  adjacent  regions  were  regular  nests  of 
robbers  and  hatcheries  of  treasonable  designs.1  When  a 
militia  contingent  seized  or  plundered  the  effects  of  certain 
people,  "scarce  leaving  them  wherewithal  to  cover  them- 
selves", the  board  wrote  the  commanding  officer  "to  order 
the  Goods  taken"  to  be  immediately  returned  to  the  owners.2 
The  commissioners  promised  to  intercede  with  Governor 
Clinton  for  the  pardon  of  an  accomplice  in  a  robbery,  who 
offered  to  turn  State's  evidence.3  In  another  case,  that  of  a 
man  who  had  been  condemned  to  death  for  robbery,  but 
whom  the  governor  had  pardoned,  they  would  not  permit 
his  release,  because  they  believed  it  desirable  to  obtain 
evidence  from  him  against  persons  confined  for  robberies  and 
other  offences.  Therefore,  he  was  continued  in  confinement, 
but  with  a  weekly  allowance  of  two  dollars.4  In  another 
case,  that  of  a  prisoner  who  broke  jail,  but  who  later  sur- 
rendered himself  and  imparted  information  about  secret  ex- 

1  June  7;  July  -2,  1779. 

1  October  31,  1778.     For  another  case  see  December  14,  1778. 
'October  16,  1778. 

4  August  1 8,  1778.     He  remained  in  confinement  until  released  on  a  recog- 
nizance of  fifty  pounds,  on  November  5. 


54  State  of  New  York 

presses  from  New  York  to  Brant  and  Butler,  the  board  set 
him  loose  in  order  to  capture  the  secret  emissary  from  the 
British.1  In  its  address  to  Governor  Clinton,  September  I, 
1779,  the  senate  said: 

"We  participate  in  your  Excellency's  Pleasure,  on  the 
Suppression  of  Robberies  and  other  atrocious  Offences,  by 
the  regular  and  assiduous  Administration  of  Justice;  in 
which  we  find  additional  Reasons  for  admiring  that  happy 
Constitution,  under  which  we  enjoy  domestic  Peace  amidst 
the  Horrors  of  War;  notwithstanding  the  Patronage  that 
Robbers  and  Assassins  have  so  frequently  received  from 
degenerate  Britons."2 

The  concordant  opinion  of  the  governor  and  senate  in 
favor  of  a  more  judicial  and  constitutional  procedure  in 
dealing  with  robberies  and  other  felonious  acts,  bore  fruitage 
in  a  series  of  enactments,  as  we  shall  see. 

On  October  15,  1779,  an  act  to  prevent  robberies  was 
passed  by  the  legislature,  and  stated  the  nature  and  dispo- 
sition of  robberies  and  of  the  seizure  of  stolen  goods.3  When 
this  act  was  revived,  on  July  I,  1780,  it  included  a  new 
section  relative  to  stolen  horses.*  The  frequency  of  rob- 
beries, particularly  in  the  east  district  of  the  Manor  of 
Rensselaerwyck,  gave  birth  to  another  act,  which  provided 
for  the  employment  of  rangers  and  made  an  appropriation  of 
£1,500  for  that  service.  Payment  of  the  rangers  was  made 
by  a  supervisor,  with  the  approbation  of  any  two  resident 
justices  of  the  peace,  and  an  accounting  was  rendered  to  the 
next  meeting  of  the  county  supervisors.5  This  act  was  re- 

1  April  21,  1779. 

*  Senate  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  Loudon,  1779,  p.  9. 

1  Law*  of  New  York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  pp.  81-82. 
* Ibid,  p.  144. 

•  Ibid,  pp.  125-126. 


Introduction  55 


vived  and  amended  on  September  21,  I780.1  By  an  act  of 
November  21,  1781,  accessories  as  well  as  principals  were  to 
suffer  death  without  benefit  of  clergy.2  Trial  of  felons  was  by 
jury  before  county  courts  of  oyer  and  terminer. 

A  joint  resolution  of  the  legislature  in  October,  1779, 
ordered  the  governor  to  issue  a  proclamation  forbidding  the 
plundering  of  any  place  held  by  the  British,  or  of  any  in- 
habitant of  the  State,  or  of  any  of  the  United  States  within 
the  power  of  the  enemy,  declaring  such  acts  contrary  to  the 
law  of  nations  and  the  rights  of  war.  Offenders  were  to  be 
apprehended  and  handed  over  to  the  commissioners  for  con- 
spiracies. The  governor  was  also  requested  to  ask  the 
executives  of  New  Jersey  and  Connecticut  to  issue  similar 
proclamations.3  That  there  was  a  dire  need  for  such  legis- 
lative action  is  evident  from  the  barbarous  offences  that  must 
have  become  notorious.  For  example,  a  number  of  persons, 
under  pretense  of  revenge  against  an  alleged  tory,  committed 
depredations  against  his  wife,  by  pulling  down  her  house  and 
destroying  her  furniture  and  clothes.4 

Toryism  and  Disaffection  —  In  the  first  chapter  of  this 
introduction  the  earlier  attitude  of  the  laws  against  disaffec- 
tion is  revealed.  By  an  act  of  March  30,  1781,  provision  was 
made  "more  effectually  to  punish  Adherence  to  the  King  of 
Great-Britain".  Those  who  were  found  "adhering  to  the 
Enemies  of  this  State"  were  declared  to  be  guilty  of  high 
treason.  Anyone  who  maliciously  by  preaching,  teaching, 
speaking,  writing  or  printing  maintained  that  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  had  or  of  right  ought  to  have  authority  or 

1  Laws  of  New  York.    Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  149. 

*  Ibid,  p.  215. 

•  Assembly  Votes.     Fish-Kill:  Samuel  London,  1779,  p.  47;  Senate  Votes, 
Ibid,  pp.  1 6,  30. 

4  July  19,  1779- 


56  State  of  New  York 

dominion  in  and  over  the  State,  or  who  seduced  or  persuaded 
or  attempted  to  persuade  or  seduce  any  inhabitant  to  re- 
nounce his  or  her  allegiance  to  the  State,  and  who  himself  or 
herself  maliciously  or  advisedly  declared  or  affirmed  allegiance 
to  the  King  or  Crown  of  Great  Britain,  was  guilty  of  a  felony 
without  benefit  of  clergy.  But  the  court  had  latitude,  in- 
stead of  giving  judgment  of  death,  to  direct  that  the  convict 
should  serve  three  years  on  board  of  any  ship  of  war  of  the 
State,  or  of  the  United  States,  or  of  an  ally  of  the  United 
States.  Desertion  from  such  service  invited  the  death 
penalty.1  There  were  indeed  examples  of  hotheaded  dis- 
affection that  inspired  such  legislation.  On  July  10,  1780, 
a  witness  accused  one  of  these  persons  of  saying  in  his 
presence,  "  that  the  French  Fleet  was  come  to  carry  off  the 
Damned  Rebel  Officer  Washington,  who  was  afraid  he  would 
be  hanged,  and  the  Rebel  Congress;  that  the  Whigs  were  all 
a  set  of  scoundrels  and  Rascals,  and  that  he  was  persuaded  the 
British  Troops  would  in  a  fortnight's  time  march  through  the 
City  of  Albany."  This  obstreperous  tory,  George  Rodgers  by 
name,  was  apprehended  and  put  in  close  confinement.2 

The  troublous  characters  in  and  around  Newtown,  in  the 
summer  of  1780,  led  the  Albany  board  to  erect  a  sub-board 
at  Stillwater,  in  order  to  employ  rigorous  measures  against 
them.  This  sub-board  met  there  on  July  19  and  20,  during 
which  time  persons  were  summoned,  examined  and  bound  by 
recognizances  and  bail  in  various  sums.3 

The  Albany  board,  when  desirous  of  learning  who  had 
gone  over  to  the  British  interest,  ordered  the  militia  officers 
to  make  a  return  "  of  the  Names  of  the  Persons  within  their 

1  Laws  of  New    York.     Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  p.  189. 
*July  10,  ii,  22,  1780. 

'July  22,  1780.  See  also  August  19;  September  7,  1779,  for  a  similar 
sub-board  at  Saratoga. 


Introduction  57 


respective  Beats"  who  had  "lately  gone  over  and  joined  the 
Enemy/'1  Tories  who  had  been  judged  in  Vermont  were, 
in  the  opinion  of  General  Stark,  not  under  the  jurisdiction  of 
the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  of  New  York,  even  when 
these  prisoners  were  brought  into  the  State;  whereupon  the 
Albany  board  wrote  to  the  governor  and  informed  him  that 
Stark  had  told  them  it  was  none  of  their  business  to  interfere 
with  tories  from  another  State.2  A  few  days  later,3  they 
wrote  again  to  Clinton  about  seven  more  persons  "  sent  down 
by  the  pretended  State  of  Vermont  to  be  forwarded  to  the 
Enemies  Lines  by  General  Stark,"  and  stated  that  from  the 
"first  Reception"  they  met  with  from  Stark,  they  thought  it 
"needless  to  remonstrate  with  him  any  farther  about  the 
Matter."  Subsequently,*  when  Stark  asked  them  to  commit 
a  prisoner  sent  from  Bennington,  they  complied  and  issued  a 
mittimus  to  the  jailer  to  receive  the  prisoner  into  his  custody. 
Persons  who  were  to  be  removed  to  the  British  lines  were 
each  to  be  served  with  a  notice  by  the  secretary  of  the  board,5 
and  were  required  to  pay  the  costs  of  transportation  for 
themselves  and  families,  and  to  provide  provisions  for  all 
sufficient  as  a  supply  for  fourteen  days.  They  were  allowed 
to  take  with  them  all  of  their  clothing  and  household  fur- 
niture. Their  names  were  sent  to  the  governor,  to  enable 
him  to  order  the  detention  of  any  of  them  for  exchanges.9 
When  several  of  these  people  requested  a  temporary  sus- 
pension, to  afford  them  an  opportunity  to  ask  the  permis- 

1  September  21,  1778. 
'July  15,  1778. 
»July  24,  1778. 
« August  7,  1778. 

5  July  20,  1778.  i 

6  August  i,  3.  22,  26:  September  3;  October  29,  1778.     See  also  th\  act  of 
March  20,  1781,  in  relation  to  exchanges. —  Laws  of  New    York.     Pough- 
keepsie,  1782,  pp.  179-180. 


58  State  of  New  York 

sion  of  Governor  Clinton  to  petition  the  legislature  for  an 
exemption  from  the  penalties,  the  board  informed  them 
that  their  request  could  not  be  granted.1  Two  women  who 
asked  permission  to  join  their  husbands  in  New  York  City 
and  Canada,  respectively,  were  recommended  favorably  to 
General  Stark  for  a  pass,  because  the  board  thought  it 
would  be  better  for  the  State  to  grant  the  request  than  to 
keep  the  women  as  a  charge  upon  the  community.2  A  man 
ordered  to  be  removed,  but  at  the  time  under  a  recognizance 
as  a  witness  in  a  trial  for  a  capital  offence,  was  respited 
until  the  court  should  discharge  him,  the  board  averring  its 
unwillingness  to  deprive  the  person  on  trial  for  his  life  "of 
the  Benefit  of  so  favorable  a  Witness."  But  the  murderer 
escaped  subsequently,  and  the  witness  was  put  on  parole.3 
When  the  commissioners  were  in  doubt  as  to  their  authority 
for  permitting  the  return  of  persons  previously  deported, 
or  for  sending  away  certain  people,  they  wrote  to  Governor 
Clinton  for  an  opinion.4 

It  has  been  shown  that  Governor  Clinton  might  order 
the  detention  of  tories  as  exchanges.  In  such  cases  they 
were  held  subject  to  his  order,  or  were  taken  down  to  Pough- 
keepsie,  from  thence  to  be  sent  under  a  flag  to  New  York 
or  elsewhere,  as  he  might  determine.5  When  a  tory  civilian 
asked  for  the  exchange  of  himself  and  family,  the  board 
answered  that  it  had  no  authority  to  arrange  exchanges, 
and  referred  him  to  the  governor.  On  the  other  hand,  a 
captured  lieutenant  was  granted  a  pass  to  Poughkeepsie, 
to  solicit  from  the  governor  his  own  exchange  with  a  patriot 

•July  29,  1778. 

*  October  i,  1778. 

*  September  7,  1778;  January  13,  21,  1779. 
4  November  2,  1778. 

'September  3,  22;  November  20,  1778. 


Introduction  59 


officer  of  equal  rank.1  On  occasion,  Governor  Clinton 
requested  the  Albany  board,  in  conjunction  with  General 
Schuyier  and  General  Clinton,  to  arrange  for  the  exchange 
of  inhabitants  of  Cherry  Valley,  who  were  in  captivity  in 
Canada.2 

During  the  course  of  the  war,  and  particularly  after  1778, 
petitions  were  presented  to  the  legislature  by  the  inhabitants 
of  various  sections  on  behalf  of  persons  who  had  been  sent 
within  the  British  lines.  In  these  memorials  the  petitioners 
begged  that  these  particular  deported  persons  be  allowed 
to  return  to  their  original  domiciles.  They  were  usually 
rejected  by  both  houses  or,  what  was  the  same  thing,  ordered 
to  lie  on  the  table.3 

Treason  —  In  an  act  of  March  30,  1778,  the  operation  of 
the  English  law,  so  far  as  it  related  to  the  manner  of  putting 
offenders  to  death,  was  characterized  as  "  marked  by  Circum- 
stances of  Savage  Cruelty,  unnecessary  for  the  Purposes  of 
public  Justice,  and  manifestly  repugnant  to  that  Spirit  of 
Humanity,  which  should  ever  distinguish,  a  free,  a  civilized, 
and  Christian  People."  Instead  thereof,  the  judgment  was  to 
be  hanging  by  the  neck  until  death.  The  legislature  also 
abolished  the  barbarous  punishment  inflicted  upon  persons 
arraigned  for  felony,  who  refused  to  put  themselves  on 
ordinary  trial,  but  who  obstinately  stood  mute  —  the  form 
known  as  peine  forte  et  dure,  cominonly  pressing  to  death  by 
great  weights  put  upon  the  prostrate  body.  Refusal  to  plead 
was  to  be  adjudged  a  denial  of  the  facts  alleged,  and  such 
persons  were  to  be  tried  in  regular  form,  as  though  they  had 

1  October  7,  10,  1778. 

2  December  28,  1778;  January  2,  1779. 

1  Examples  of  these  petitions  are  in  Assembly  Papers  —  Miscellaneous, 
vol.  i,  pp.  161,  169.  Their  disposition  by  the  legislature  can  be  traced  in 
the  printed  Votes  of  both  senate  and  assembly. 


6o  State  of  New  York 


duly  pleaded  their  cause.1  Thomas  Cummings,  convicted  of 
treason,  was  pardoned  by  a  special  act  of  October  8,  I779-2 
The  relations  of  the  commissioners  for  conspiracies  to 
phases  of  felony  and  treason  have  been  shown  under  former 
topical  headings.  The  Albany  board  summoned  persons  to 
give  testimony  which  might  convict  others  of  high  treason,3 
and  even  required  enlarged  persons  to  make  known  all 
treasonable  acts  and  deeds  that  might  come  to  their  knowledge 
at  any  time.4  The  temper  of  one  loyalist,  who  refused  to 
take  the  oath,  is  revealed  by  his  open  declarations.  He  said 
that  if  he  took  the  oath,  "  he  would  perjure  himself  and  that 
none  but  Rogues  and  Fools  would  or  could  take  it."  He 
was  declared  guilty  of  "  a  high  Contempt  and  Insult  upon  the 
Authority  of  this  State  in  General  and  this  Board  in  particu- 
lar," and  was  sent  to  jail  to  await  the  pleasure  of  the  com- 
missioners.5 The  board  sought  to  ferret  out  spies  from  the 
British  lines,  as  well  as  secret  emissaries  at  home,  and  ordered 
the  examination  of  witnesses  against  them.6  An  item  of 
more  than  passing  interest  came  up  before  the  board,  on 
October  5,  1780.  Philip  Van  Rensselaer  had  received  a 
letter  from  Colonel  Richard  Varick,  who  had  been  aide-de- 
camp to  Benedict  Arnold  at  the  time  of  the  treason  of  the 
latter.  As  this  letter  was  reported  to  contain  "  Expressions 
which  would  tend  to  discover  some  of  the  persons  concerned 
with  Arnold  in  his  Villanous  Plot,"  the  board  requested 

1  Laws  of  New  York.  Poughkeepsie:  John  Holt,  1782,  pp.  21-22.  For 
the  powers  of  judges  of  the  supreme  court  and  courts  of  oyer  and  terminer  in 
certain  cases  of  felony,  see  ibid,  p.  115. 

*  Ibid,  p.  77. 
'October  13,  1778. 

*  June  24,  1778. 
'July  23,  1778. 

'September  22,  1779;  July  29,  1780.  See  also  this  chaptei  under  "  Pris- 
oners." 


Introduction  61 


Van  Rensselaer  to  come  before  it  at  his  earliest  convenience, 
and  exhibit  at  that  time  the  contents  of  that  letter.  It  is 
regrettable  that  the  subject-matter  is  not  revealed. 

A  perspective  view  has  been  presented  in  these  chapters  of 
the  magnitude  of  the  work  with  which  commissioners  for 
detecting  and  defeating  conspiracies  were  entrusted  by  the 
legislature  of  New  York.  It  is  a  soul-harrowing  picture  in  the 
annals  of  the  American  Revolution. 

VICTOR  HUGO  PALTSITS. 
March  17,  1909. 


THE   MANUSCRIPT 


The  manuscript  minutes  of  the  Albany  County  board  of 
commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  conspiracies  in  the 
State  of  New  York,  are  contained  in  two  small  folio  volumes, 
foolscap  size  of  the  period.  The  paper  is  a  good  linen 
texture,  of  three  kinds  of  stock.  The  watermark  of  the  first 
volume  (pp.  1-244),  is  tne  "  Pro  Patria  "  inscription  and  the 
Dutch  lion  rampant  in  a  stockade,  having  a  sabre  in  his  right 
fore  paw  and  a  brace  of  seven  arrows  in  his  left  fore  paw,  with 
a  liberty  bell  hanging  at  the  gate  of  the  enclosure.  The 
second  volume  is  a  composite,  of  which  pp.  1-79  and  135-489, 
as  well  as  blank  leaves,  contain  only  the  conventional  water- 
lines  from  top  to  bottom;  pp.  80-134,  an  insert,  have  a  water- 
mark with  the  letters  "  O  G  R."  The  contents  of  the 
volumes,  blank  pages  not  counted,  are  as  follows: 

Vol.  i. —  Minutes  from  April  13,  1778,  to  December  8, 
1778,  on  pp.  1-239;  oaths,  on  pp.  240-243. 

Vol.  2. —  Minutes  from  December  9,  1778,  to  August  30, 
1781,  on  pp.  1-489. 

Manifestly,  the  minutes  are  incomplete,  and  end 
abruptly  on  August  30,  1781.  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr., 
took  his  oath  of  office  on  April  24,  1778,  and  was  to  be  paid 
"  whenever  an  Entry  is  made  in  this  Book  ".  His  pay-bill* 
for  services  in  the  secretarial  capacity,  from  April  13,  1778, 
to  April  22,  1780,  and  from  June  28,  1780,  to  April  29,  1783, 
was  certified  by  members  of  the  Albany  County  board  on 

1  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  161,  in  State  Comptroller's  office. 
For  a  reduced  facsimile  see  in  the  second  volume. 

63 


64  State  of  New  York 

October  22,  1784,  making  together  the  sum  of  £535  6s.  6d. 
The  act  which  finally  repealed  the  commissioners  was  passed 
on  March  27,  1783.  It  is  regrettable  that  the  minutes  for 
the  period  after  August,  1781,  are  not  available,  because 
the  proceedings  printed  in  these  volumes  are  the  only  minutes 
of  any  of  the  seven  county  boards  now,  so  far  as  known, 
extant.  There  are  many  references  in  these  extant  minutes 
to  collateral  papers  on  file,  which  are  not  known  to  be  in 
existence.  It  is  well-nigh  inexplicable  that  so  little  remains 
of  the  vast  amount  of  minutes  and  related  records  of  this 
State  body,  existent  in  seven  counties  and  operative  during 
about  five  years  of  the  war.  The  several  boards  were  obli- 
gated by  statute  to  keep  accurate  minutes  of  all  of  their 
proceedings,  subject  to  review  by  higher  authority.  In  the 
office  of  the  State  Comptroller,  the  pay-bills  and  other 
vouchers  are  preserved  with  creditable  fullness,  in  vol.  40  of 
Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  though  somewhat  disarranged. 

The  minutes  of  the  Albany  County  board  were  retained 
by  its  secretary.  After  his  death  they  came  into  the  posses- 
sion of  his  grandson,  the  late  Thomas  Hun,  M.  D.,  of  the 
city  of  Albany,  by  whose  generosity  they  were  presented  to 
the  New  York  State  Library  in  1850.*  Inquiry  of  Marcus 
T.  Hun,  Esq.,  a  son  of  Dr.  Thomas  Hun,  who  very  kindly 
instituted  a  search  among  family  papers,  for  the  possible 
existence  of  collateral  or  other  records  of  the  board,  pro- 
duced negative  results. 

The  first  page  of  the  first  volume  is  wholly  in  the  hand- 
writing of  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  except  the  signatures 
to  the  oath,  which  are  autographs  of  the  commissioners, 
that  were  written  in  at  various  times.  During  the  month 

1  Annual  Report  of  the  Trustees  of  the  State  Library  of  the  State  of  New-  York. 
Made  to  the  Legislature,  on  the  10th  of  February,  1851.  Albany,  1851^.209. 


The  Manuscript  65 


of  April,  1778,  occasional  headings  and  items  were  written 
in  by  Van  Rensselaer.  But  most  of  the  minutes  of  that 
month  are  in  the  handwriting  of  Mathew  Visscher,1  who 
also  wrote  occasional  minutes,  from  time  to  time,  in  1778, 
apparently  during  the  temporary  absence  of  the  secretary. 
Apparently  Gansevoort  wrote  all  of  the  minutes,  with  the 
exceptions  mentioned,  save  a  portion  of  the  rough  minutes, 
which  begin  on  June  29,  1779,  in  a  handwriting  that  has 
not  been  determined;  but  interpolations  and  other  revisions 
of  this  drafted  section  are  Gansevoort's.  A  large  part  of 
the  minutes,  especially  pp.  1-79  and  135-489  of  the  second 
volume,  is  wholly  a  clean  secretarial  transcript.  There 
are  a  number  of  psychological  evidences  of  transcription, 
such  as  erratic  copying  which  required  erasures,  and  the 
dating  of  a  board  meeting  of  June  28,  1779,  as  June  28, 
1782,  with  a  correction  to  agree  with  the  former  date.  From 
this  we  may  reasonably  conclude  that  some  of  the  clean 
copy,  at  least,  was  done  in  1782.  There  is  also  another 
entry  in  which  the  year  1780  is  written  erroneously  as  1781. 
The  inserted  rough  minutes,  pp.  80-134  (modern  numera- 
tion) of  the  second  volume,  the  transcriber  had  begun  to 
copy,  but  he  did  not  get  beyond  the  heading  of  June  30, 
1779,  on  p.  80,  which  has  a  contemporary  designation  as 
p.  49. 

In  addition  to  the  financial  accounts,  already  alluded  to, 
and  more  specifically  correlated  in  foot-notes  to  this  work, 
we  find  among  the  George  Clinton  Papers,  in  the  archives 
of  the  New  York  State  Library,  a  few  original  letters  that 
were  sent  by  the  Albany  commissioners  to  Governor  Clinton, 

1  Mathew  Visscher  had  tyeen  secretary  of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and 
County  of  Albany,  prior  to  his  appointment  as  a  member  of  the  Albany  board 
of  commissioners- 


66  State  of  New  York 


and  a  small  number  of  drafts  of  his  official  correspondence 
with  them.  These  are  likewise  brought  into  juxtaposition 
to  the  minutes  in  the  annotations.  The  collection  of  original 
official  papers,  known  as  New  York  Colonial  Manuscripts, 
has  only  a  few  pieces.1 

The  entire  copy  for  these  volumes  has  been  carefully  revised 
with  the  original  manuscripts  by  the  State  Historian,  who 
has  likewise  read  the  printers'  proofs  with  the  originals  in 
their  final  revision.  Human  frailty  is  a  sure  thing,  but  can 
find  no  justification  in  the  shirking  of  painstaking  endeavor 
in  historical  documentation. 

1  See  Appendix  III:  Miscellanea. 


LIST  OF  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  CONSPIRACIES 


NAMES 

Counties 

Dates  of  Appointment 

JOHN  M.  BEECKMAN  

Albany  

April  4,  1778'  July  i,  1780. 

JEREMIAH  VAN  RENSSELAER 

u 

April  4  1778'  July  i   1780 

ISAAC  D.  FONDA  

a 

Resignation       accepted 
March  26,  1781. 
April  4.,  1778'  Tulv  i,  1780. 

MATHEW  VISSCHER  

a 

April  4  1778*  July  i,  1780 

HUGH  MITCHELL  

u 

Resignation       accepted 
March  26,  1781. 
April  4,  1778*  Tulv  i,  1780. 

CORNELIUS  HUMFREY  

u 

April  4,  1778. 

JOHN  McCLUNG2  

tt 

April  4,  1778*  July  i,  1780* 

PETER  WYNKOOP,  JR  

u 

superseded  April  12,  1782. 
April  4,  1778. 

SAMUEL  STRINGER  

u 

k  October  2^.  1770'  Tulv  i. 

ABRAHAM  OOTHOUT  

u 

1780. 
July  i    1780 

REYNIER  MYNDERSE  

u 

July  i,  1780. 

STEWART  DEAN  

u 

March  26,  1781,  in  place  of 

PELATIAH  FITCH'  

u 

Mathew     Visscher,     re- 
signed. 
April  12,  1782,  in  place  of 

ALEXANDER  WEBSTER  

Charlotte.  .  . 

John  McClung,  declined. 
April  4.,  1778. 

ALEXANDER  MCNITT  

u 

April  4,  1778'  July  i,  1780. 

EBENEZER  CLARK  

u 

April  4.,  1778*  Tulv  !•  1780. 

BRINTON  PAINE  

u 

Tulv  i.  1780. 

JOSEPH  McCRAKEN  

u 

March  30,  1781 

ZEPHANIAH  PLATT  

Dutchess  .  .  . 

April  4..  1778. 

EGBERT  BENSON  

u 

April  4  1778'  July  i   1780 

ISRAEL  THOMPSON.. 

a 

but  declined  to  qualify 
and    appointment    an- 
nulled Sept.  29,  1780. 
April  4..  1778. 

1  Compiled  from  the  original  manuscript  minutes  of  the  Council  of  Appoint- 
ment, vol.  i,  pp.  48,  165,  198,  211,  217,  222,  246-7,  249.  This  volume  is  in 
the  archives  of  the  New  York  State  Library.  The  varying  spelling  of  sur- 
names has  been  reduced  to  the  best  form  in  use,  especially  by  the  individuals 
themselves. 

1  Active  in  Charlotte  County  board,  at  New  Perth. 

» Ibid. 

67 


68 


State  of  New  York 


LIST  OF  COMMISSIONERS  FOR  CONSPIRACIES— Concluded 


NAMES 


Counties 


Dates  of  Appointment 


WILLIAM  DUER 

HENRY  WILLIAMS 

ROBERT  HARPUR 

GILBERT  LIVINGSTON. 
ABRAHAM  SCHENCK. . . 
JACOB  GRIFFIN 


Dutchess . 


ABRAHAM  WYCOFF 

HENRY  WISNER 

THOMAS  MOFFAT 

GILBERT  CUYPER  (or  Cooper)' 

MOSES  HATFIELD 

WILLIAM  WILLS 

SOVERINAS  COCK 

JAMES  McMASTER 

LAWRENCE  GROS. . . 


Orange. 


Tryon. 


PETER  VAN  WAGGONER,  JR. . 
WILLIAM  PETRY.. 


SAMUEL  CLYDE 

ANDREW  FINCK,  JR. 


JACOB  GARDINIER 

CORNELIUS  E.  WYNKOOP 

CORNELIUS  C.  SCHOONMAKER 

PETER  CANTINE,  JR 

JOSEPH  GASHERIE 

ISRAEL  HONEYWELL 

JONATHAN  G.  TOMPKINS 

JOSEPH  STRANG 


Ulster. 


Westchester. 


EBENEZER  PURDY. . . 
NATHAN  ROCKWELL. 

PHILIP  LEEK. . 


1  His  own  signature  is  invariably  "  Cooper." 


July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1 7 80, but  declined  to 

qualify  and  appointment 

annulled  Sept.  29,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778. 
April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780. 
July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778. 
April  4,  1778. 
April  4,  1778. 
July    i,    1780;   suspended 

March  30,  1781. 
July    i,    1780;   suspended 

March  30,  1781. 
July    i,    1780;   suspended 

March  30,  1781. 
March  30,  1781. 
March  30,   1781;  resigned 

July  10,  1782. 
March  30,  1781. 
April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778. 
July  i,  1780. 

April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780. 
April  4,  1778. 
April  4,  1778;  July  i,  1780; 

resigned  March  26,  1781. 
July  i,  1780. 
March  26,  1781 ;  in  place  of 

Joseph  Strang,  resigned. 
July  10,  1782,  in  place  of 

Andrew   Finck,   Jr.j   of 

Tryon  County,  resigned. 


SCHEDULE  OF  MEETINGS 


1778 

1778 

1778 

1778 

April       13 

May       29 

July       1  8 

September   3 

14 

30 

20 

4 

*i5 

June        i 

21 

5 

*i6 

a 

23 

7 

17 

3 

24 

8 

*i8 

4 

25 

9 

*2O 

5 

27 

10 

*2I 

6 

28 

ii 

*23 

9 

29 

14 

*24 

to 

30 

15 

25 

ii 

31 

17 

27 

12 

August      i 

18 

29 

13 

3 

*9 

30 

15 

4 

21 

May        i 

16 

5 

22 

2 

17 

6 

24 

4 

18 

7 

25 

5 

19 

8 

28 

6 

30 

10 

29 

7 

22 

ii 

30 

8 

23 

12 

October     i 

9 

24 

13 

2 

ii 

25 

14 

3 

12 

27 

'5 

6 

13 

29 

17 

7 

14 

30 

18 

8 

15 

July       i 

19 

10 

16 

2 

20 

12 

17 

3 

21 

13 

18 

6 

22 

15 

19 

8 

24 

16 

20 

9 

25 

19 

21 

10 

26 

20 

22 

ii 

28 

21 

23 

'4 

29 

23 

25 

15 

31 

24 

26 

16 

September    i 

26 

27 

17 

2 

27 

*  A.  M.  and  P.  M. 


State  of  New  York 


1778 

1779              1779 

1779 

October 

28 

January    23   June 

2 

August      5 

29 

25 

3 

6 

30 

27 

5 

7 

3i 

28 

7 

8 

November 

2 

29 

8 

10 

3 

February    2 

9 

ii 

4 

6 

10 

14 

5 

12 

ii 

17 

9 

13 

12 

18 

13 

15 

M 

19 

H 

19 

IS 

26 

16 

22 

18 

27 

I? 

March      2 

19 

September   i 

19 

22 

20 

2 

20 

23 

21 

7 

21 

29 

22 

8 

23 

April       i 

23 

10 

24 

9 

24 

ii 

25 

10 

28 

H 

26 

12 

29 

15 

27 

15 

30 

16 

December 

I 

20   July 

2 

i? 

4 

21 

3 

18 

5 

22 

5 

20 

7 

25 

6 

22 

8 

27 

7 

23 

9 

28 

8 

24 

10 

May       i 

9 

25 

14 

3 

10 

30 

15 

4 

13 

October     i 

21 

7 

14 

9 

26 

8 

16 

ii 

28 

10 

19 

November    2 

ii 

21 

9 

1779 

12 

22 

10 

January 

2 

15 

23 

15 

4 

18 

24 

16 

5 

19 

27 

27 

7 

21 

28 

December    i 

8 

24 

29 

7 

12 

26 

31 

24 

13 

27    August 

2 

3i 

15 

28 

3 

21 

20 

4 

Schedule  of  Meetings 


1780 

1780 

1780 

1780 

January 

3 

August      2 

September   25 

November   20 

5 

3 

26 

21 

H 

4 

27 

22 

21 

5 

28 

23 

26 

8 

October     2 

24 

February 

I 

9 

3 

25 

2 

10 

4 

26 

5 

ii 

5 

27 

6 

12 

6 

28 

7 

13 

7 

29 

8 

H 

8 

3» 

9 

'5 

9 

December    2 

14 

16 

10 

4 

April 

22 

»7 

ii 

5 

June 

28 

18 

H 

6 

29 

19 

15 

7 

30 

22 

16 

ii 

July 

I 

23 

i7 

12 

3 

24 

18 

13 

4 

25 

19 

H 

5 

26 

20 

16 

6 

28 

21 

18 

7 

29 

22 

21 

10 

30 

23 

22 

ii 

31 

24 

23 

12 

September    i 

25 

25 

13 

2 

27 

27 

14 

4 

28 

28 

15 

5 

29 
•try 

29 

*7 
18 

7 

«}** 
31 

1781 

19 

8 

November    6 

January     a 

21 

ii 

7 

3 

22 

12 

8 

5 

23 

13 

9 

8 

24 

15 

10 

9 

2ti 

16 

ii 

10 

26 

18 

12 

12 

27 

19 

13 

16 

28 

20 

14 

17 

29 

21 

15 

18 

30 

22 

16 

20 

31 

23 

17 

26 

August 

I 

24 

18 

27 

State  of  New  York 


1781 

1781 

1781 

1781 

January 

29   March 

20   May 

8   July 

10 

30 

21 

9 

ii 

3i 

22 

12 

16 

February 

i 

23 

»4 

19 

2 

24 

15 

20 

3 

26 

16 

21 

5 

27 

17 

23 

6 

28 

18 

24 

7 

29  . 

22 

25 

8 

30 

24 

26 

9 

3i 

25 

27 

13   April 

2 

26 

28 

15 

3 

28 

30 

16 

5 

29 

31 

17 

6 

30   August 

2 

19 

7 

3i 

4 

20 

10   June 

i 

6 

21 

ii 

2 

7 

22 

12 

3 

8 

23 

13 

4 

9 

27 

14 

5 

10 

28 

15 

6 

ii 

March 

I 

16 

9 

12 

2 

17 

13 

13 

3 

18 

14 

14 

5 

19 

15 

16 

6 

20 

16 

17 

7 

21 

18 

18 

8 

23 

19 

21 

9 

25 

21 

22 

10 

26 

26 

23 

12 

27 

28 

24 

13 

30 

29 

25 

14   May 

I 

30 

27 

15 

2 

31 

28 

16 

3  July 

5 

29 

17 

vfi 

4 

6 

30 

la 

»9 

5 
7 

8 

RECORD  OF  ATTENDANCES  OF  COMMISSIONERS 

FOR  CONSPIRACIES  AT  SESSIONS  OF  THE 

ALBANY  COUNTY  BOARD 


BEECKMAN  (John  M.) 

1778:  —  April  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  27,  29,  30;  May  i, 
2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  25,  26,  27, 
29,  30;  June  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  9,  10,  n,  12,  13,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  22,  23,  24, 
25,  27,  29,  30;  July  i,  2,  3,  6,  8,  9,  10,  11,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24, 
25,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31;  August  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26, 
28,  29,  31;  September  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  21,  22, 
24,  25,  28,  29,  30;  October  i,  2,  3,  7,  8,  10,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28, 
29>  3°.  31;  November  2,  3,  4,  5,  9,  13,  14,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26, 
27;  December  i,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  14,  15. 

*779:  —  January  7,  8,  12,  13,  15,  21,  23,  25,  27,  29;  February  2,  6,  12,  13, 

15,  19,  22;  March  2,  22,  23,  29;  April  i,  9,  10,  12,  15,  20,  22,  25,  27,  28; 
May  i,  3,  4,  7,  8,  10,  n,  12,  15,  18,  19,  21,  24,  26,  27,  28,  29;  June  2,  3, 

5.  7>  8,  9,  10,  ii,  12,  14,  15,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  28,  29,  30;  July  2,  3, 
5»  6.  7,  8,  9,  13,  14,  16,  19,  21,  22,  23,  24,  27,  28,  29,  31;  August  2,  3,  4,  5, 

6,  7,  8,  10,  ii,  14,  17,  18,  19,  26,  27;  September  2,  7,  8,  10,  ii,  14,  15,  16, 
18,  20,  22,  23,  24,  25,  30;  October  9,  ii;  November  2,  9,  10,  15,  16,  27; 
December  i,  7,  24,  31. 

1780:  —  January  3,  14,  21,  26;  February  2,  5,  6,  7,  8,  14;  April  22;  June 
28,  29,  30;  July  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  10,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  21,  22,  23, 

24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  31;  August  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  8,  9,  10,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  15, 

16,  17,  18,  19,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  September  i,  2,  4,  5,  6,  7, 
8,  n,  12,  13,  15,  16,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28;  October  2,  3, 
4»  5»  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  ii,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  27,  28, 
29»  3°.  31!  November  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26, 
27,  28,  29,  30;  December  2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  16,  18,  21,  22,  23,  25, 
27,  28,  29. 

1781:  —  January  3,  5,  8,  9,  10,  12,  16,  17,  18,  20,  26,  27,  29,  30,  31; 
February  i,  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  13,  15,  16,  17,  19,  20,  27,  28;  March  i,  2,  3, 
5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28, 
29»  3°.  31;  April  2,  3,  5,  7,  10,  n,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  23, 

25,  26,  27,  30;  May  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  12,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  22,  24,  25, 

26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  June  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  9,  13,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  21,  26,  28, 
29»  3°;  J^y  [i]>  5»  6,  7,  8,  10,  n,  16,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  30, 
31;  August  2,  4,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  16,  17,  18,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25, 

27,  28,  29,  30. 

73 


74  State  of  New  York 


BENSON  (Egbert),  of  Dutchess  County  Board. 
1778:  —  July  28,  29. 
1779:  — April  27. 

CANTINE  (Peter,  Jr.),  of  Ulster  County  Board. 
1778=  — July  23. 

DEAN  (Stewart) 

1781:  —  March  28,  29,  30,  31;  April  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  10,  n,  12,  13,  14,  15, 
16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  23,  25,  26,  27,  30;  May  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  14,  15, 
16,  17,  22,  24,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  June  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  9,  28,  29;  August  8, 

9,  13,  14,  16,  17,  18,  21,  23,  25,  27,  28,  29,  30. 

FONDA  (Isaac  D.) 

1778:  —  April  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  27,  29,  30;  May  i, 
2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  it,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  25,  26, 
27,  29,  30$  June  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  9,  10,  n,  12,  13,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  22, 
23,  24,  25,  27,  29,  30;  July  i,  2,  3,  6,  8,  9,  10,  n,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21, 
23,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31;  August  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  n,  12,  13,  14, 
15,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  31;  September  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  n,  14, 
15,  17,  18,  19,  21,  22,  24,  25,  28,  29,  30;  October  2,  3,  6,  7,  8,  10,  12,  13, 
15,  16,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31;  November  2,  3,  4,  5,  9,  13, 

14,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27;  December  i,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  14, 

15,  21,  26,  28. 

*779:  —  January  2,  4,  5,  7,  8,  12,  13,  15,  21,  23,  25,  27,  28,  29;  February 
2,  6,  12,  13,  15,  19,  22;  March  2,  22,  23,  29;  April  i,  9,  10,  12,  15,  20,  21, 

22,  25,  27,  28;  May  i,  3,  4,  7,  8,  10,  11,  12,  15,  18,  19,  21,  24,  26,  27,  28, 
29;  June  2,  3,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  n,  12,  14,  15,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  28,  29, 
30;  July  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  9,  10,  13,  14,  16,  19,  21,  22,  23,  24,  27,  28,  29,  31; 
August  2,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  n,  14,  17,  18,  19,  26,  27;  September  i,  2,  7, 
8,  10,  n,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  22,  23,  24,  25;  October  i,  9,  n;  November 
2,  9,  10,  15,  16,  27;  December  i,  7,  24,  31. 

1780:  —  January  3,  5,  14,  21,  26;  February  i,  2,  6,  7,  8,  9,  14;  April  22; 
June  28,  29,  30;  July  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  22, 
25,  26,  27,  29,  30,  31;  August  3,  4,  5,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  15,  16,  17,  18,  22, 

23,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29;  September  i,  2,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  n,  15,  16,  19,  20,  21, 
25,  26;  October  2,  3,  6,  7,  9,  10,  n,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  24, 
25,  27,  28,  30;  November  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  24,  25,  27,  29, 
30;  December  5,  6,  7,  n,  13,  29. 

1781:  —  January  3,  10,  17,  18,  27,  29,  30,  31;  February  i,  2,  3,  5,  6,  7, 
8,  9,  13,  15,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  27,  28;  March  i,  2,  3,  5,  6,  7.  8,  9, 

10,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31; 
April  3,  5,  6,  7,  10,  n,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  23,  25,  26,  27; 
May  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  12,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  22,  25,  26,  30,  31;  June  i, 
2,  3.  4.  5.  6,  9,  13,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  21,  26,  28,  29,  30;  July  h],  5,  6,  7,  8, 
10,  ii,  16,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  30,  31;  August  2,  4,  6,  7,  8,  9, 

10,  II,  12,  13,   14,  16,  17,  18,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29,  30. 


Record  of  Attendances  75 


HUMFREY  (Cornelius) 

1778:  —  April  24,  25;  May  4,  5,  6,  7,  8;  June  3,  4,  5,  6,  24,  25;  July  29, 
30,  31;  August  i,  13,  14;  September  30;  October  i,  2,  3. 
I779:  —  April  22. 

McCLUNG  (John),  of  Charlotte  County  Board. 

1778:  —  April  18,  20,  21,  23;  May  14,  15;  August  28. 
1779:  —  June  18;  August  n. 

McM ASTER  (James),  of  Tryon  County  Board. 

1778:  —  April  23,  24,  25;  May  5,  6,  7,  8,  9;  December  5. 

MITCHELL  (Hugh) 

1778:  —  April  16,  21,  23,  24,  25,  29;  May  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  19,  25;  June  25; 
July  14,  16,  23,  28,  29,  30,  31;  August  i,  8,  14,  15,  21,  24;  September  7,  u; 
October  15. 

*779:  —  January  28;  May  10,  19;  June  2,  3;  August  18. 
1780:  —  July  28;  August  9 
1781:  —  March  8. 

MYNDERSE  (Reyneir) 
1781 :  —  January  26. 

STRINGER  (Samuel) 

1780:  —  July  [10],  u,  12,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26, 
27,  28,  29,  31;  August  i,  2,  3,  4,  5,  8,  9,  n,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19, 
22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  September  i,  2,  5,  6,  7,  8,  n,  12,  13,  15, 
16,  18,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28;  October  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  14, 
16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  27,  29,  30,  31;  November  10,  n,  12, 
13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30;  December 
2.  4,  5,  6,  7,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  x6,  18,  21,  22,  23,  25,  27,  28,  29. 

1781:  —  January  2,  3,  5,  8,  9,  10,  12,  17,  20,  26,  27,  29,  30,  31;  February 

2,  5.  6,  7,  8,  9,  13,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  27,  28;  March  i,  2,  3,  5,  6,  7, 

9,  10,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  iS,  21,  22,  23,  24,  26,  27,  29,  30,  31;  April  2, 
3i  5»  6,  7,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  23,  25,  26,  27,  30;  May  i,  2, 

3.  4.  5.  7.  8,  9,  12,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  22,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  June  i, 
2,  3»  4.  5.  6,  9,  13,  14,  15,  16,  18,  19,  21,  26,  28,  29,  30;  Jv.ly  [i],  5,  6,  7,  8, 

10,  ii,  16,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  30,  31;  August  2,  4,  6,  7,  8,  9, 
10,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  16,  17,  18,  21,  22,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29,  30. 

VAN  RENSSELAER  (Jeremiah) 

1778: —  April  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  29,  30;  May  i,  2,  4,  7, 
8,  9,  ii,  15,  16,  17;  July  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  27,  28,  29, 
30,  31;  August  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  n,  12,  13,  14,  15,  17,  iG,  19,  20,  21, 
24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  31;  September  i,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10;  October  7,  10,  12, 
13,  16;  December  21,  26,  28. 


76 


State  of  New  York 


VAN  RENSSELAER  (Jeremiah)— Continued 

1779:  —  January  2,  4,  5,  7,  8,  12,  13,  15,  23,  25,  27,  29;  February  2,  6, 
12,  13,  15,  22;  March  2,  22,  23,  29;  April  i,  9,  12,  15,  20,  21,  22,  25,  27, 
May  3,  4,  26,  27;  June  2,  3,  5,  8,  29,  30;  July  2,  3,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  27,  28,  29, 
31;  August  2,  3,  4,  5,  8,  17,  27;  September  i,  7,  8,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20, 
30;  October  i. 

1780:  —  January  5;  February  i,  2,  5,  9;  June  28,  29,  30;  July  i,  3,  4, 

7,  21,  22,  23,  24,  30;  August  i,  2,  5,  8,  9,  10,  n,  12;  September  19,  21,  22, 
23,  24,  25,  27,  28;  October  4,  5,  22,  27,  30,  31;  November  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  n, 

12,  13,  14,  16,  17,  18,  21,  22,  23,  26;  December  6,  16,  22,  23,  25,  28,  29. 
1781:  —  January  2,  16;  February  3,  7;  March  10,  14. 

VISSCHER  (Mathew) 

1778:  —  April  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  24,  27;  May  i,  2,  4,  6,  7,  8,  n,  12, 

13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  22,  23,  25,  26,  27,  29,  30;  June  i,  2,  9,  10,  n, 
12,  13,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  22,  23,  25,  27,  29,  30;  July  i,  2,  3,  6,  8,  9,  10, 
ii,  14,  16,  17,  18,  20,  21,  23,  24,  28,  29,  30;  August  i,  3,  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10, 

11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26,  28,  29,  31;  September  i, 
2i  3>  4.  5i  7  >  8,  9,  10,  n,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  21,  22,  24,  25,  28,  29,  30;  October 
i»  2,  3,  6,  7,  8,  12,  13,  15,  16,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30,  31;  Novem- 
ber 2,  3,  4,  5,  9,  13,  14,  16,  17,  19,  20,  21,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27;  December  i, 
4.  5»  7.  8,  9,  10,  14,  15,  21,  26,  28. 

1779:  —  January  2,  4,  5,  7,  8,  12,  13,  15,  21,  23,  25,  27,  28,  29;  February 
2,  6,  12,  13,  15,  19;  March  2,  22,  23,  29;  April  i,  9,  10,  12,  15,  21,  25,  27, 
28;  May  i,  3,  7,  8,  10,  n,  12,  15,  18,  19,  21,  24,  27,  28,  29;  June  3,  5,  7, 

8,  9,  10,  ii,  12,  14,  15,  18,  19,  20,  21,  22,  23,  28;  July  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  10,  13, 

14,  16,  19,  21,  22,  23,  24;  August  4,  5,  6,  7,  8,  10,  ii,  14,  17,  18,  19,  26,  27; 
September  i,  2,  7,  10,  ii,  15,  16,  17,  20,  22,  23,  24,  25,  30;  October  i,  9,  ii; 
November  2,  9,  10,  15,  16,  27;  December  i,  7,  24,  31. 

1780:  —  January  3,  5,  14,  21,  26;  February  i,  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  14;  April  22; 
June  28,  29,  30;  July  i,  3,  5,  6,  7,  10,  13,  14,  15,  17,  18,  19,  22,  30;  August 
2,  3,  5,  8,  9,  10,  ii,  12,  13,  14,  15,  18,  19,  22,  24,  26,  28,  29,  30,  31;  Sep- 
tember i,  2,  4,  7,  8,  ii,  12,  13,  16,  18,  20,  22,  23,  24,  26,  27,  28;  October  2, 
3i  4t  7.  8,  9,  10,  ii,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20,  22,  23,  28,  29;  November  10,  ii, 

12,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  20,  24,  27,  28,  29;  December  2,  4,  12,  14,  18,  21,  22, 
23,  25,  27,  28,  29. 

1781:  —  January  2,  5,  8,  9,  12,  16,  18,  20,  26,  27,  29,  31;  February  i,  3, 

15,  21,  22,  23,  28;  March  2,  3,  7,  8,  12,  13,  14,  17,  19,  20,  22,  23. 

WILLS  (William),  of  Tryon  County  Board. 
1778:  —  April  29,  30;  May  i,  2,  27. 
1779:  — June  24. 

WYNKOOP  (Petrus,  Jr.) 

1778:  —  May  5,  6,  7,  8,  9,  22,  23,  25;  June  3,  4,  5,  6,  24,  25;  July  17,  18, 
29,  30,  31;  September  i,  2,  3,  15;  October  6,  7;  November  17. 
1779:  —  May  26. 


MANUSCRIPT    MINUTES 


VOL.1. 

77 


[i]  At  a  Meeting  of  the  Commissioners  Appointed  by  the      J778 
Legislature  of  the  State  of  New  York  for  Enquiring  into 
detecting   and   Defeating   all   Conspiricies  which   may   be 
formed  in  the  Said  State  Against  the  Liberties  of  America 

13th  April  1778  — 
Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  Mathew  Visher 
Jer  V  Rensselaer      j        ( Isaac  D  Fonda 

Mess1?  Rensselaer  &  Visher  laid  before  this  Board  a 
letter  from  Egbert  Benson  Esqr  dated  7  Instant,  Inclosing 
two  Certifyed  Copies  of  two  Acts  of  the  Legislature  passed 
in  their  late  Sessions,1  and  Copy  of  a  Commission  Isued  in 
Consequence  thereof  Appointing  us  the  Said  John  M 
Beeckman,  Jer  V  Rensselaer,  Isaac  Fonda,  Mathew  Visher, 
Hugh  Mitchell,  John  Mclung,  Cornelius  Humphryes  and 
Peter  Wynekoop,  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies,  which 
Said  Letter  Acts  and  Commission  are  in  the  woords  fol- 
lowing (prout) 

After  the  perusal  and  Examining  of  which  Said  acts  and 
Commission  the  Commissioners  present  took  the  following 
oath  as  is  described  by  one  of  Said  Acts  to  Wit 

I,  A.B  one  of  the  Commissioners  According  to  the 
form  and  Effect  of  an  Act  Entitled  an  Act  for  Appoint- 
ing Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  Con- 
spiracies and  Declaring  their  powers  Appointed  do  in 
the  presence  of  Almighty  God  most  Solemnly  promice 
and  Swear  that  I  will  to  the  best  of  my  Knowledge 
and  Ability  faithfully  Execute  and  perform  for  the 

1  The  laws  of  February  5  and  April  3,  1778,  relating  to  the  commissioners. 
See  Appendix  I. 


79 


8o  State  of  New  York 


1778  benefit  and  Advantage  of  the  People  of  the  State  of 

New  York  all  and  singular  the  powers  and  Authorities 
by  force  and  Virtue  of  Said  act  unto  me  Given  So 
help  me  God — 

John  McClung  Jer  V  Rensselaer 

James  McMaster  Mat:  Visscher 

[Signed  :\  Cornelius  Humfrey  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Willm  Wills  John  M:  Beeckman 

PetF  Wynkoop  Junr  Hugh  Mitchell 

Samj  Stringer  Stewart  Dean1 

[2]  A  Return  of  the  prisoners  Confined  in  the  City  Gail 
being  laid  before  this  Board  and  thereupon  Resolved  that 
Letters  be  wrote  to  the  district  Committees  from  whence 
Said  prisoners  were  Sent,  to  furnish  the  Commissioners 
with  their  Several  Crimes  which  was  wrote  in  the  woords 
following  (prout) 

As  als[o]  Letters  to  the  Commissioners  Appointed  in 
Tryon  County,  and  those  in  this  &  Charlotte  County,  in 
the  woords  following  (prout)  —  Requesting  their  Speedy 
attendance  at  this  place — 

Resolved  That  a  Letter  be  prepared  to  Mess1?  Benson, 
Platt  and  Cantine,  acknowledging  the  Receipt  of  the  Acts 
and  Commission  and  requesting  them  to  receive  for  and 
transmit  to  the  Commissioners  of  this  County  the  Sum  of 
one  thousand  Pounds  out  of  the  Treasury  of  this  State 
which  Letter  is  in  the  following  words  to  wit  (prout) 

1778  April  14^ 

Apr.  14.  Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )         (  Jer  V  Rensselaer 
Isaac  D.  Fonda        )         1  Mathw  Visher 

1  These  signatures  were  attached  to  the  oath  from  time  to  time,  whenever 
a  commissioner  qualified. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        81 


A  petition  from  the  officers  of  Cambridge  district  &  a  J778 
Letter  from  John  Younglove  in  Behalf  of  Ebenezer  Allen, 
who  had  been  a  prisoner  with  Burgoyne's  Army,  and 
deserted  from  thence,  Imediately  after  the  Second  Battle 
of  Sarratogo:  presented  by  himself  praying  to  be  Rein- 
stated in  his  Countery's  favour,  thereupon  Resolved,  that 
he  be  dismissed  from  any  farther  prosicution  he  taking  the 
Oath  of  fidelity  to  the  State 

It  appearing  to  this  Board  that  the  Committee  of  Saratoga 
District  had  ordered  several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  that  Dis- 
trict to  depart  the  same,  and  otherwise  proceeded  illegally 
against  Persons  suspected,  to  be  Inimical  to  the  Cause  of 
America  Thereupon  Resolved  [3]  That  a  Letter  be  prepared 
to  said  Committee  which  was  done  in  the  words  following 
to  wit  (prout) 

Recd  the  proceedings  of  a  Committee  from  Charlottee 
County  ordering  Titus  Meriman  &  Another  to  Convey  from 
this  Goal  one  William  Tiler  to  be  tryed  before  Sd  Committee — 
which  Said  order  being  taken  Into  Consideration  thereupon 
Resolved  that  the  Requisition  Cannot  be  Complied  with  — 
A  Letter  was  prepared  Stating  the  Objections  and  for- 
warded to  them  in  the  woords  following  (prout) 

Also  A  Letter  was  forwarded  to  John  McCrea  EsqT 
ordering  him  to  deliver  into  this  Goal  W™  McCrea,  who  was 
permitted  to  absent  himself  on  Bail  of  the  Sd  John  McCrea, 
in  the  following  woords  —  (prout)  — 

April  15**  1778  1778 

1 1  Apr.  15. 

rresent 

John  M  Beeckman  )         (  Mathew  Visher 
Isaac  D  Fonda         j         {  Jer  V  Rensselaer 

Nicholas  Hagerman  from  Balls  town  was  Brought  before 
this  Board,  &  Being  Charged  with  deserting  from  Said 


82  State  of  New  York 

Apr  7?s  District  on  a  Supposition  to  go  to  the  Enemy  —  but  no 
direct  proof  appearing  therefore  ordered  that  Sd  N  Hager- 
man  be  permitted  to  Return  home  on  Bail  of  Christopher 
Hagerman : 

Coll  Gordon  &  Cap*  Collins  appeared  before  this  board 
&  Represented  that  Robert  Russell,  Roger  Hyatt,  John 
Smyth,  Archibald  McNue  —  McNight  James  Robison,  John 
Fairman,  George  Gardner,  Jonathan  Tuttle,  Study  Scranton, 
Henry  Bolton  &  George  Bolton,  person[s]  now  again  Residing 
in  Ballston,  after  having  taken  up  arms  against  the  United 
States  with  Gen1  Burgoyne,  &  from  appearences  they  Judge 
that  the  above  person's  will  Return  to  their  duty,  thereupon 
Resolved  that  Col1  Gordon  &  Cap*  Collins  be  Requested  to 
Cause  the  Said  Offenders  to  appeir  before  them  to  Enter  into 
Bail  for  their  future  Good  Conduct.  A  Coppy  of  a  Recog- 
nizanc[e]  for  that  purpose  was  furnished  them. 

[4]  William  Reside  and  William  M?Auley  were  brought 
before  this  Board  on  suspicion  of  having  been  with 
the  Enemy  and  no  direct  proof  appearing  against  him 
[sic]  Ordered  that  they  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  upon 
their  entring  into  Recognizance  for  their  future  good 
behaviour  and  appearance  Monthly  before  any  one  of  the 
Commissioners 

William  Reside  was  bound  in  the  Sum  of  £200 

John  Miller,  .his  Bail,  .in 100 

William  M?Auley in 200 

John  Miller,  .his  Bail,  .in 100 

all  of  Cambridge  District  in  the  County  of  Albany  — 

The  examination  of  William  Reside  appears  on  file 
marked  N?i. — 

John  Karns  and  James  Asquith  were  brought  before  this 
Board,  and  it  appearing  that  they  were  Deserters  from  the 
Enemy,  and  that  they  had  during  their  Residence  in  this 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        83 


County  peaceably  behaved  themselves  and  showed  a  desire 

.    .  ,     .  Apr.  15. 

and  willingness  to  remain  in  the  Country  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  they  be  permitted  to  return 
to  their  place  of  Residence  in  Hosick  District  — 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  P  M. 

Met  according  to  Adjournment 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        J  Jer  Van  Rensselaer 
Isaac  D.  Fonda         j         (  Matthew  Visscher 

[5]  Henry  Van  Hining  having  some  time  since  been  Com- 
mitted on  a  Suspicion  of  having  been  enlisted  in  the  service  of 
the  Enemy  was  brought  before  this  Board,  and  it  appearing 
from  the  information  of  several  principal  Inhabitants  of 
this  County  That  during  the  last  Campaign  he  had  acted  as  a 
Guide  to  the  Scouting  Parties  of  our  army,  and  it  also 
appearing  from  his  examination  under  Oath  That  he  is  a 
friend  to  the  Cause  of  America,  and  that  he  does  not  know  of 
any  Plots  or  Conspiracies  formed  or  forming  in  this  State 
against  the  Liberties  of  America 

Ordered  thereupon  That  he  be  Liberated  from  Confine- 
ment upon  his  entring  into  Recognizance  with  Surety  for  his 
future  good  behaviour  and  Monthly  appearance  before  any 
one  of  the  Commissioners 

Henry  Van  Hining  of  Stillwater    in  ........  £200 

David  Young  ofSchaghtekoekehis  Bail  ......    100 

Coenraedt  Hail,  George  Miller,  George  Lucka  Henry 
Spengler,  John  Burgdorf,  Johan  George  Jost,  and  Christo- 
pher Forman,  Deserters  from  the  Brittish  army,  were 
brought  before  this  Board,  and  it  appearing  that  they  had 
peaceably  demeaned  themselves 


84  State  of  New  York 


1778  Ordered  Thereupon  that  the  said  Persons  be  permitted  to 
return  to  their  places  of  Residence 

The  same  with  respect  to  Dennis  Dunn,  Robert  [6] 
Crothers  and Evans  — 

Jacob  Ball  Jun*  having  for  a  long  time  been  confined 
as  a  Suspected  Person,  and  nothing  specially  appearing 
against  him 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  the  said  Jacob  Ball  Junr  be 
permitted  to  return  to  his  place  of  abode  upon  entring  into 
Recognizance  with  Surety  for  his  appearance  before  any  one 
of  the  Commissioners  on  the  last  day  of  every  Month  or 
sooner  if  required, 

Himself  was  bound  in £100  and 

Gisbert  Fonda  of  Albany  his  Bail 100   — 

Christiaen  Cray  and  Jacob  Phillips,  having  been  set 
at  Liberty  by  the  Committee  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck 
upon  their  entring  into  Bond  with  Surety  for  their  future 
good  behaviour,  which  Security  having  delivered  them  up, 
and  they  being  willing  to  enter  into  the  Continental  Service 
and  give  Security  for  their  future  good  behaviour  but 
requested  time  till  Saturday  to  procure  them 

Ordered  thereupon  if  Cap*  Visscher  under  whom  they 
intend  to  enlist  will  become  Security  for  their  appearance 
on  Saturday  next  That  they  be  permitted  — 

They  were  accordingly  bound  each  in  the  Sum  of  £100 
and  Cap*  Teunis  T.  C  Visscher  in  the  Sum  of  £100  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  A.M. 

J778          [7]    Met  according  to  adjournment  i6th  April  1778 
Apr.  10. 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )         (  Jer.  Van  Rensselaer 
Isaac  D  Fonda          )        (  Matthew  Visscher 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        85 

William  Moore  and  Christopher  Lake  were  brought  before      I7786 
this  Board  on  suspicion  of  having  been  with  the  Enemy  and 
no  Positive  proof  appearing  either  as  to  their  having  been 
there,  or  that  their  going  at  large  might  be  dangerous  to 
the  State  —  Therefore 

Resolved  That  they  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  usual 
place  of  abode  upon  entring  into  Recognizance  with  Surety 
for  their  future  good  behaviour  and  appearance  Monthly 
before  any  of  the  Commissioners  in  this  County  or  sooner 
if  required  — 

They  were  accordingly  bound  as  follows  —  Viz* 

William  Moore in £100 

Christopher  Lake,  .in 100 

John  Johnson  of  Hosick  their  Bail 100 

Jonathan  Brown  and  John  Wiltsie  charged  the  same,  as 
above,  were  also  permitted  to  return  to  their  usual  Places 
of  abode  as  the  last  abovementiond 

Jonathan  Brown  was  bound in. .  £100 

Caleb  Brown  his  Bail in .  .  100 

John  Wiltsie  was  bound in. .  100 

Abner  Pease  his  Bail in. .  100 

All  of  Phillips  Town 

John  Scott,  Adam  Johnson,  Peter  Johnson,  William  Bris- 
bin  and  Rowland  Perry  were  brought  before  this  Board  for 
having  remained  on  their  Habitations  when  General  [8] 
Burgoyne  penetrated  into  the  County,  and  it  appearing  to 
this  Board  that  the  said  Persons  above  named,  had  not  the 
means  wherewith  to  move  their  Families  and  effects,  and 
they  having  previous  to  that  time,  and  since  Burgoynes 
Captivity  evinced  their  friendliness  to  the  Cause  of 
America  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  That  they  be  permitted  to  return  to 


86  State  of  New  York 


X778      their  usual  places  of  abode  and  that  passes  be  granted 
accordingly 

Mr  Hugh  Mitchell  appeared,  took  the  Oath  prescribed 
in  the  Act  and  took  his  Seat  as  a  Member 

Mett  According  to  Adjournment 
Present 

TT     i   TV/T-    i    11         >  I  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Hugh  Mitchell         )  )  T     w  „ 

T  i      TV/T  r>      i  f  "{  Jer  "  Rensselaer 

John  M  Beeckman  J  (  Mat:  ViSScher 

Josiah  Butler  Appearing  before  this  Board,  &  Gave 
Information  of  the  Treachery  of  Thomas  Valk  Emrick 
Plass  and  Barent  Hainer  Ju?  All  of  Rensselaerwyck  —  file 

N°2  — 

Carle  Koening,  Jacob  Eckert  Carlolus  Rackenso  Henry 
Miller,  Michael  Willman,  John  Butler  James  Nowels  and 
John  Needing  Deserters  from  the  Brittish  Army  were 
brought  before  this  Board  and  it  appearing  that  they  were 
willing  to  remain  in  this  County,  and  had  During  their  Stay 
behaved  friendly  to  the  United  States  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  That  they  be  permitted  to  remain 
in  this  County,  and  permissions  were  accordingly 
granted 

[9]  William  Rogers,  Matthias  Rose  and  Simon  Earhart 
were  brought  before  this  Board  for  having  been  with  the 
Enemy,  and  it  appearing  from  the  information  of  Major 
General  Schuyler,  that  they  had  been  seduced  to  go  off  by 
Jessup  and  Jones  and  that  he  conceived  they  might  with 
Safety  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  place  of  abode 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  they  be  permitted  to  return  to 
their  places  of  abode  upon  entring  into  Recognizance  for 
their  future  good  behaviour  and  appearance  Monthly  before 
any  one  of  the  Commissioners 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        87 


They  were  accordingly  bound  in  £100  each,  and  live  at    .    7?8 

Apr.   10. 
Saratoga  — 

Stephen  Hooper,  John  Hooper,  John  Conklin  Joseph 
Deval,  James  Conklin,  Joseph  Conklin  Joseph  Conklin 
Jim?  John  Conklin  Junf  Thomas  Purchase,  Abraham 
Ostrander  and  John  Keurden,  having  formerly  been  appre- 
hended by  the  Committee  of  Albany  in  Consequence  of  a 
request  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton,  as  being 
Persons  enlisted  in  the  service  of  the  King  of  Great 
Brittain 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  to  detain 
the  above  Persons  untill  they  have  been  Indicted  and  Tried, 
or  untill  they  are  by  this  Board  or  any  other  Three  of  the 
Commissioners  discharged 

[10]  Moses  Dorman,  Robert  Ferguson,  Martin  Galer 
JunF  Mattice  Galer,  Stoffel  Galer,  James  Esman  David 
Michel  Silvan  Galer  and  Henry  Salsbury  being  committed 
by  the  Committee  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook  and  it 
appearing  that  they  are  disaffected  Persons  whose  going  at 
large  may  be  dangerous  to  the  Liberties  of  America 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  ordering 
them  to  be  Confined  untill  discharged  by  this  Board  or  any 
other  three  of  the  Commissioners 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  A  M. 

Met  according  to  Adjournment  17th  April  1778  Z778 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  Jer.  Van  Rensselaer 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       j        (  Matthew  Visscher 

Archibald  Campbell,  William  Blake,  George  Telford  and 
William  Robisson  were  brought  before  this  Board  for  having 
remained  on  their  Habitations,  and  going  to  the  Enemy, 


State  of  New  York 


'778  and  it  appearing  from  their  examinations  as  well  as  from 
the  information  of  Cap*  John  Mc-Kellop  that  they  had 
previous  to  the  Enemies  penetrating  the  Country  proved 
friends  to  the  Country,  and  that  their  only  inducement  to 
go  in  was  to  save  their  Families  from  being  Scalped  by  the 
Indians,  and  that  they  remained  but  a  few  days  with  the 
Enemy  and  bore  no  Arms,  and  it  farther  appearing  from 
their  examinations  that  they  conceive  themselves  to  owe 
allegiance  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  declaring  [n]  their 
readiness  and  willingness  to  do  their  duty  as  good  and  faith- 
ful Subjects  of  this  State 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  they  be  permitted  to  return  to 
their  places  of  abode,  on  their  entring  into  Recognizance 
with  surety  for  their  future  good  behaviour  as  good  and 
faithful  Subjects  and  Monthly  appearance  before  any  one 
of  the  Commissioners  — 

They  were  accordingly  bound  in  £100  each  and  Cap* 
John  M?Kellop  their  Bail  in  £100  all  live  in  Cambridge  in 
this  County  — 

James  Green  the  same  in  all  respects  himself  was  bound 
£100  and  Thomas  Green  his  Bail  in  £100  both  of  Cambridge 

I778  Albany  i8th  April  1778  — 

Apr.  18.  Present, 

John  M.  Beeckman  } 

T         rt  r»     j  I   |er.  Van  Rensselaer 

Isaac  L>.  ronda         >       1  ,,     ,        T7.      , 
T  u     A/rc/^i  \         (  Matthew  Visscher 

John  McClung  j 

John  McClung  one  of  the  Members  of  the  Board  appeared, 
was  sworn  to  the  Execution  of  his  Office  and  took  his 
Seat  — 

Samuel  Willson  having  been  Confined  by  the  Committee 
for  having  been  with  the  Enemy  and  it  appearing  that  he 
had  been  seduced  to  go  to  them,  and  while  with  the  Enemy 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        89 

had  not  taken  up  Arms  against  the  Country,  and  it  appear-  J7?8 
ing  from  his  own  Confession  as  well  as  from  the  informa- 
tion of  other  Persons  that  he  acknowledged  his  Crime  and 
was  willing  to  make  Amends  to  his  Country  for  his  [12]  past 
Conduct,  by  entring  into  the  Service,  and  offered  Bail  for 
his  good  behaviour  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  he  be  permitted  to  enlist  with 
Cap*  Van  Iveren  upon  Cap*  Van  Iveren's  entring  into  Recog- 
nizance for  the  good  behaviour  of  said  Samuel  Willson  and 
appearance  when  required  —  They  were  accordingly  bound 
himself  in  £100  and  Cap?  Rynier  Van  Iveren  in  £100. 

Abijah  Ketcham  having  been  confined  by  the  Committee 
of  Schaghtekoeke,  and  no  Crime  alledged  against  him,  and 
he  being  willing  to  enter  into  the  service  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  That  he  be  discharged  from  Con- 
finement upon  enlisting  in  the  Batteau  service  with  Cap* 
Teunis  H.  Visscher 

Jacob  Hoffman  and  Gotlieb  Klouse  Deserters  from  the 
Brittish  Army  were  brought  before  this  Board,  and  it 
appearing  that  they  lived  in  Families  well  attached  to  the 
Cause  of  America 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  they  [be]  permitted  to  go  at 
large  in  this  County  — 

James  McCormick,  William  Tyler,  William  Sanders  Daniel 
Bass,  John  Cobham,  John  Cowan,  Daniel  Fraser  Johannis 
Schaver,  William  Price,  John  Rogers,  John  McDowell,  Peter 
McDougall,  Benjamin  French,  John  Shaver,  George  Cochel, 
John  Hart,  James  Hart  William  Rogers  Nicholas  Bass, 
William  Rogers  Jun,  Thomas  Fraser,  Greger  Van  Iveren 
and  John  Schaver  having  some  time  since  been  Confined 
by  the  Committee  of  the  County  of  Albany  for  being  Persons 
disaffected  to  the  Cause  of  America  and  [13]  whose  going 
at  large  may  be  dangerous  to  the  State, 


9° 


State  of  New  York 


Ordered  Thereupon  That  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to 
keep  them  confined  till  such  time  as  they  be  discharged  by 
this  Board  or  any  other  three  of  the  Commissioners 

John  Werner,  Isaac  Valkenburgh  and  Arent  Halenbeeck 
were  brought  before  this  Board,  and  nothing  appearing 
against  them,  —  their  examination  appear  in  N?  3. 

Ordered  That  they  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  place 
of  abode  — 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  P.M. 

Met  according  to  Adjournment 
Present. 

Ter.  Van  Rensselaer }        .  T         ~    „      . 

T  u     iv>r    r>      i  (  lsaac  O.  Fonda 

lohn  M.  rJeeckman  V      s  -..     .        __. 

T  u    iv/rcoi  I       ( Matthew  Visscher 

John  McClung  ; 

Christiaen  Schoolcraft  and  James  Small  were  brought 
before  this  Board,  and  nothing  appearing  against  them 

Ordered  That  they  be  discharged  and  permitted  to  return 
to  their  usual  place  of  abode 

Henry  Van  Corlaer  was  brought  before  this  Board  for 
having  been  with  the  Enemy  and  it  appearing  that  he  was 
a  Young  Man  who  had  been  seduced  thereto  by  evil  and 
designing  Men  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  That  he  be  also  discharged  and 
permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  place  of  abode  upon  entring 
into  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  behaviour  and  Monthly 
appearance  before  one  of  the  Commissioners  He  was  accord- 
ingly bound  in  £100  — 

1778          [14]  April  20th 

Apr.  20. 

Present 


John  M  Beeckman  )       j  John  M^Clung 
Isaac  D  Fonda         f      1  ler  V  Rensselaer 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        91 


Adam  Vrooman  Appearing  before  this  board,  &  Charged  1778 
with  Going  of  to  the  Enemy,  but  no  prof  [sic]  Appearing  that 
he  had  taken  an  active  pai;t  against  the  States  &  he  being 
willing  &  offered  to  take  the  Oath  of  Alegiance,  was 
thereupon  permitted  to  Return  upon  Bail  to  his  place  of 
Abode  — 

Adam  Vrooman £200 

Wouter  Vrooman  his  Bail £200 

it  has  been  frequently  Sugested  that  the  Great  Liberty 
Granted  to  the  prisoners  in  this  Garrison  is  attended  with 
Evil  Consequences  to  the  Un[i]ted  States,  &  the  Same 
being  taken  in  Consideration  &  thereupon  agreed  that 
the  following  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commanding  officer  — 
prout) 

mett  acording  to  Adjournment 

John  Snyder,  Frederick  Kaltoven,  Frederick  Flintye, 
Johan  Roliff,  Christopher  Sackman,  deserters  from  the 
British  Army,  permitted  to  go  at  Large  in  this  County  — 

April  21s*  1778.  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  J°hn  M'Clung 
Isaac  D  Fonda          \      1  Jer  Van  Rensselaer 

(  Hugh  Mitchell 

Jonas  Earle  appearing  before  this  board  and  no  Sufficient 
Cause  produced  to  detain  him  any  Longer  in  prison,  ther- 
upon  Resolved  that  the  Said  Jonas  Earle  be  permitted  to 

Return  to  Cambridge  upon  Bail  himself  in..  £100. 

Samuel  Hodge  his  Bail 100. 

the  Examination  of  Sd  Earl  Respecting  Cap*  John  Wood, 
to  be  transmitted  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  at  pough- 
kepse  on  the  file  N°  4  — 


92  State  of  New  York 


1778          Information  being  Given  to  this  board   that  a  Certain 

ADT    21 

-  Riddeng  now  in  Custody  at  Bennington  for  Stealing 
of  horses  from  one  Simmons  in  dutches  County,  the  following 
Letter  was  wrote  Requesting  from  the  Committee  that  the 
Sd  Ridden  to  Conveyed  to  this  place  in  the  words  following 
(prout) 

[15]  Joshua  Wrathbone,  being  Called  before  this  board 
for  Being  with  the  Enemy.  —  it  appearing  that  he  was  taken 
prisoner  and  afterwards  did  duty  with  them,  therefore 
agreed  that  the  Sd  Wrathbone  be  permitted  to  go  at  Large  in 
Cambridge  he  appearing  to  the  board  to  be  an  Ignorant  man 

Joshua  Wrathbone  ....................  £100.  — 

Elisha  Allen,  .his  Bail  .................      100.  — 

Mett  according  to  adjournment  — 
Present 

T  L     A/T  r>      i  (  Ter  Van  Rensselaer 

ohn  JVL  Joeeckman  )         \  -L 

LcD  Fonda        } 


the  Examination  of  Jonas  Earle  taken  this  fore  noon, 
touching  the  Case  of  John  Wood.  Inclosed  to  the  Commis- 
sioners at  poughkeepse  by  Letter  Requesting  them  to  Call 
on  his  Excell?  the  Governour  for  the  Charge  against  Sundry 
persons  appreh[end]ed  by  his  order  &  now  in  Confinement  in 
the  woords  following  (prout) 

1778  April  23.  —  1778 

A"r-  »  Present 

T  .     »*  T>     i  (  Hugh  Mitchell 

John  M  Beeckman  )        \  _  ,  &   ,,  _.. 

Lac  D  Fonda  j  John  M'Clung 

{  Jer  V  Rensselaer 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  at  pough- 
keepse of  17th  April  together  with  II  prisoners  Sent  by  them 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        93 


&  Committed  to  this  Goal    &  Eight  Examination  taken    A1778 
before  Said  Board  —  upon  file 

Carle  Miller  N?  5.  Philip  Singer  N°  6  —  Isaac  Scowton 
N°  7  Cha[r]les  DeBo  N°  8  — Asa  Flint  N°  9  — John  Wick- 
hoffs — 10  Philip  Switzer  N?  II  &  Beriah  Chelson  N°  12 

Jonathan  Chase,  Daniel  Chase,  &  James  Lake  were 
Liberated  by  this  Board  because  no  Material  Crimes  were 
al[le]dged  ag*  them. 

Dan-  Chase  in  Recognizance £100} 

David  Sprague  his  Bail 100  ) 

Jonathan  Chase 100  ^ 

David  Sprague  his  Bail 100  ! 

James  Lake 100  f 

[blank]  his  Bail 100  J 

[16]  mett  according  to  Adjournment 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  }        (  Jer  V  Rensselaer 
Isaac  D  Fonda         I       -j  Hugh  Mitchell 
John  McClung         )        ( James  McMaster 

James  McMaster  According  to  Letters  Directed  to  the 
Commissioners  in  Tryon  County  appeared  in  the  Board, 
tuck  [took]  the  Oath  prescribed  &  his  Seat  accordingly  — 

Daniel  Mosher  &  Ishmeal  Rynolds  being  Brought  before 
the  board  for  having  been  in  the  Enemys  Camp  were  per- 
mitted to  take  the  Oath  of  Aligeance  &  Entered  into 
Recognizance  for  their  future  Good  Behaviour. 

Daniel  Mosier £"100 

William  Brown  his  Bail 100 

Ishmeal  Rynolds 100 

Benj?  Reynolds  his  Bail 100 


94  State  of  New  York 


1778  Patrick  Buchannan  appearing  with  the  above  having 
Gen1  Gates  Protection  against  the  Melitary  —  &  Con- 
fessed that  he  had  Joined  the  Enemy,  &  Owed  Aliegence 
to  the  British  King  &  was  Included  in  the  Convention  at 
Sarratoga  —  the  Board  taken  the  Same  into  Consideration. 
Resolved,  that  the  [said]  Rynolds1  Is  a  Dangerous  person 
&  Should  not  be  permitted  to  [go]  at  Large.  A  mittimus 
was  therefore  made  out  &  he  orderd  to  Confinement  untill 
Discharged  by  a  Board  of  Commissioners  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  A.M. 
1778  Met  according  to  Adjournment  24  April  1778 

Apr*   ^4* 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  "j        f  Matthew  Visscher 
Isaac  D  Fonda          >      •<  Cornelius  Humphrey 
James  McMasters     )        ( Hugh  Mitchell 

ColP  Cornelius  Humphrey  agreeable  to  notification 
appeared,  took  the  Oath  of  Office,  and  his  Seat  as  a  Member 

An  account  of  Isaiah  Butler  and  Ebenezer  Baker  for 
services  performed  in  making  [17]  discoveries  of  the  Com- 
binations of  the  disaffected  in  this  County  was  laid  before 
this  Board  amount  to  £10  which  was  paid.2 

It  having  appeared  to  us  from  the  information  of  sundry 
Persons  that  Emerich  Plass,  Matthias  Coons,  David  Crank- 
heydt,  Philip  Tater,  Thomas  Blewer,  John  Dorn,  Thomas 
Wood  Junf  Frederick  Weager  and  Henry  Plass  are  Per- 
sons disaffected  to  the  Cause  of  America  and  whose  going 
at  large  may  be  dangerous  to  the  State 

Ordered  That  an  order  issue  to  Cap*  Scharpe  or  the  next 

1  An  error  in  the  original  manuscript  for  Buchanan. 

*The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  146, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


Opposite  Vol.    i,  p.  94 


' 


______  ^ 

Minutes  written  by  Mathew  Visscher  and  Leonard  Gansevoort,  Jr. 

(One-half  reduced) 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies         95 

Commanding  Officer  of  his  Company  to  order  a  Party  to       *778 
apprehend  and  secure  the  said  Persons  and  fort[h]with  bring 
them  before  this  Board. 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  P.M. 

Met  according  to  adjournment 
Present. 

John  M  Beeckman  \        (  James  M?Masters 
Isaac  D.  Fonda         >      •<  Cornelius  Humfrey 
Hugh  Mitchell  )        ( Matthew  Visscher 

Leonard  Gansevoort  Jun?  appointed  by  us  as  Clerk  to 
this  Body  took  an  Oath1  that  he  would  keep  secret  all  such 
Matters  as  should  be  given  him  in  Charge  until  discharged 
from  such  Injunction  by  us  —  and  for  his  Services  he  is  to 
receive  ten  Shillings  per  Day —  whenever  an  Entry  is 
made  in  this  Book  — 

[18]  William  Loucks  and  Hendrick  Weaver  having  some 
Time  since  been  committed  by  the  Committee  of  Schohary 
District  as  Persons  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  and 
having  since  received  Information  that  their  Suspicions 
were  rather  groundless  —  Therefore 

Resolved  that  they  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  usual 
Places  of  Abode  upon  entering  into  Recognizance  with 
Surety  for  their  future  good  Behaviour  &  Appearance 
Monthly  before  any  of  the  Commissioners  in  this  County 
or  sooner  if  required 

They  were  accordingly  bound  as  follows  viz* 

William  Loucks  in  Recognizance £500 

Peter  Loucks  his  Bail £500 

Hendrick  Weaver  on  Recognizance £500 

Hendrick  Weaver  Jun?  his  Bail £$oo 

All  of  Schohary  — 

1  See  Appendix  III:  Miscellanea 


96  State  of  New  York 

1778          John  Rogers  from  the  Beverdam  was  librated  no  Material 
Evidence  being  produced  against  him  — 

John  Rogers  on  Recognizance  .............  £100 

Isaac  Valckenburgh  his  Bail  ...............  £100 

Gabriel  Groat  from  the  little  White  Creek  was  librated 
on  Condition  of  his  going  to  Claverack  District  with  his  Son 
and  engaged  that  his  future  Behaviour  would  be  good  and 
that  he  would  appear  on  the  last  Day  of  every  Month  or 
sooner  if  required 

Gabriel  Groat  on  Recognizance  for  ......  £100 

Nicholas  Groat  his  Bail  ................  £100  — 

Ordered  that  John  M'rCrea  Bail  for  William  McCrea 
Deliver  up  the  said  William  M?Crea  on  Tuesday  next  & 
that  Mf  John  M?Crea  be  notified  of  this  Resolution  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  25*  I1  April  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        ,  T          _.    ^ 

>,        r      TT      r  (Isaac  D.  .bonda 

Cornelius  Humtrey  V       •!  TT     ,,,.,„ 

T          A/rcivyr  I        (  Hugh  Mitche 

James  M?Master      J 

John  Hart  from  the  Nine  Partners  was  set  at  Liberty  on 
entering  into  Recognizance  and  engaging  to  go  [to]  Kinder- 
hook  and  being  under  the  Direction  of  Col1  Humfrey  — 

John  Hart  on  Recognizance  in  ............  £100 

Cornelius  Humfrey  his  Bail  in  ............  £100  — 

Isaac  Schouten  appeared  was  ex'?  and  his  ex1?  appears 
N?  15. 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        97 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  27*?  April  1778  A1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman   )       (A/r    ,        T7.     t 
•i         T^   T-      i  r   -  i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Jbonda         )       ( 

Ordered  That  the  Clerk  make  a  Copy  of  Isaac  Scouting's 
Deposition  to  be  laid  before  the  Grand  Jury  — 

Christopher  Bennet  from  Parmertown  being  confined  in 
Goal,  and  extreamly  111  was  permitted  to  go  with  Jonathan 
Pettit,  until  he  was  recovered  who  entered  into  Recognizance 
to  deliver  up  the  said  Bennet  when  he  should  be  so  re- 
covered — 

Jonathan   Pettit  as  Bail   for   Christopher 

Bennet  in £100 — 

[20]  Andries  Tollhamer  from  Nistigeune  was  permitted  to 
go  at  large  on  his  Father  Barent  Tollhamer' s  becoming  his 
Bail  for  future  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Andries  Tollhamer  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  — 
Barent  Tollhamer  his  Bail in. .  £100  — 

Samuel  Perry  and  John  Perry  having  some  Time  been 
confined  by  the  Committee  of  the  District  of  Saragtoga  and 
the  said  Committee  having  requested  that  they  might  be 
released  from  their  Confinement  and  nothing  material  having 
appeared  against  them  they  were  eliberated  on  their  future 
good  Behaviour  and  Mont[h]ly  Appearance 

Samuel  Perry  &  John  Perry  on  Recog- 
nizance each  in £100 

Edw  Baker  and  Josiah  Benjamin  their 

Bail  each  in £100  — 

Information  being  received  that  Alexander  Campbell  had 
passed  through  this  City  on  Horseback  with  large  Bundles 
along  Side  of  his  Horse,  which  it  is  supposed  are  some  of 


State  of  New  York 


1778  the  Goods  lately  stolen  in  the  lower  Parts  of  this  County 
the  following  Letter  was  wrote  to  the  Committee  of  the 
District  of  Saragtoga  requesting  them  to  apprehend  the  said 
Campbell  &  if  they  suspect  him  to  have  stolen  the  Goods 
he  has  in  his  Possession,  to  send  him  immediately  to  us 
together  with  the  Goods  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following  (prout) 

Peter  Livingston  Jun?,  Wilhelmus  Dillenback,  Philip 
Coock,  and  Jacob  Fraley,  were  brought  before  the  Board 
and  nothing  specially  appearing  against  them  they  were 
permitted  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good 
[21]  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  to  go  to  their 
usual  Places  of  Abode 

Peter  Livingston  Jun.r  on  Recognizance 

in £100 

Wilhelmus  Dillenback  on  Recogni- 
zance in £100 

Philip  Coock  on  Recognizance  in..  .  .  £100 

Jacob  Fraley  on  Recognizance  in..  . .  £100 

Adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  9  OClock  — 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  29^  April  1778  — 

Present 

T  u     A/T  D     i  (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

John  M.  Beekman          }        I  __ 

T         •  u  \7    o        i        t      i  Hugh  Mitchell 
Jeremiah  V.  Renselaer  (        )       ° 

(  William  Wills 

John  Gold  a  Deserter  from  the  British  Army  was  per- 
mitted to  go  at  large  in  this  County  on  his  taking  the  Oath 
of  Allegiance  — 

William  Wills  according  to  Letters  directed  to  the  Com- 
missioners from  Tryon  County  appeared  &  having  taken 
the  Oath  prescribed,  took  his  Seat 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies        99 

Alexander  Campbell  from  Dutchess  County  was  appre-   A1778 
bended  and  brought  before  the  Board  for  travelling  without 
a  Pass,  and  for  carrying  Letters  from  MT  Banyer  to  David 
Van  Schaack  and  from  Van  Schaack  to  Henry  Cuyler 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to 
take  the  said  Alexander  Campbell  and  closely  confine  him  — 

[22]  James  Agan  was  permitted  to  return  to  Pittstown 
the  Place  he  resided  at,  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

James  Agen  on  Recognizance  in £100  — 

Nicholas  Demoray  his  Bail. .  .  in  ....  £100 

Nicholas  Demoray  of  Tomhenick  was  laid  under  Re- 
cognizance to  appear  before  the  Grand  Jury  and  give  his 
Evidence  respecting  a  Robbery  committed  on  the  Goods  of 
the  Widow  Elizabeth  Williams 

Nicholas  Demoray  on  Recognizance  in .  £40 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  at  Pougkeepsie  requesting  them  to  confine 
several  Persons  about  Fishkill  against  whom  we  had  received 
Information  of  their  intending  to  go  to  New  York  and 
also  to  have  apprehended  Josiah  Talmadge  and  David 
Chase  as  notorious  Offenders  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following  (prout) 

Adjourned  till  9  Oclock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  3Ot-h  April  1778.  1778 

Apr.  30. 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer )      j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
John  M.  Beekman  )       ( William  Wills 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  sent  to  the  British  Officers  and 
Doctors  ordering  them  not  to  take  the  Liberty  of  Going  at 


ioo  State  of  New  York 


large  in  this  City  notwithstanding  the  Order  of  the  General 
by  which  they  claim  this  Privilege  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following  (prout) 

[23]  John  Wilsie  from  Philipstown  Jonathan1  Brown  from 
Philipstown  Hendrick  Van  Hening  Jonathan  Brown  and 
Adam  Vrooman  made  their  Appearance  according  to 
Recognizance 

On  Information  received  of  a  Robbery  committed  at  the 
House  of  Jacob  Hogstrasser  at  the  Helleberg  —  Ordered 
that  an  Officer  with  a  Party  of  Men  be  dispatched  to  en- 
deavor to  apprehend  the  Villians 

In  Consequence  of  the  Information  received  respecting 
Alexander  Campbell  wrote  a  Letter  to  Gen!  Schuyler 
requesting  him  to  have  the  said  Alexander  Campbell  secured 
and  sent  down  to  us,  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
(prout)  — 

William  M'rKensie,  Zachariah  Overmagh,  John  Sparding 
and  Daniel  Marsh  Prisoners  taken  at  Tieconderoga  and 
Residents  of  this  State  and  Charles  M'rArthur  a  Deserter 
from  the  Enemy  and  also  Resident  of  this  State  were  sent 
to  us  by  Egbert  Benson  and  Peter  Cantine  Junf  Commis- 
sioners &c  — 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  to  the  Sheriff  to  take 
the  said  William  M'rKensie  Zachariah  Overmagh  John 
Sparding  Daniel  Marsh  &  Charles  M'rArthur  and  closely 
confine  them  — 

In  Consequence  of  Application  of  Dr.  Hayes  to  this 
Board  to  ascertain  the  Limits  of  his  Confinement. 

Ordered  that  neither  Doctor  Hayes  nor  his  Mates  go  to 
any  Place  in  this  City  but  where  their  Business  as  [24]  Surgeons 
or  Purveyors  wants  their  Presence  but  on  no  Terms  or 
Conditions  to  go  beyond  the  Limits  of  the  City,  without 

1  Substituted  for  "  John,"  which  is  stricken  out. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       101 

first  obtaining  Leave  for  that  Purpose  from  Time  to  Time   A1778 
from  the  Commanding  Officer  or  any  three  of  the  Commis- 
sioners 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  commanding 
Officer  to  request  him  to  issue  his  Orders  to  the  Guards 
for  securing  all  State  Prisoners  and  Criminals  to  prevent 
it  possible  Escapes  for  the  future  — 

Adjourned  till  9  O'Clock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  if  May  1778.  »778 

SHa.y   I* 

Present 

T         .  ,   T  7      r>        i  ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 

eremiah  van  Renselaer)       \  __,.„.       __.... 

T  u     A/T   r>    i  f      "{  William  Wills 

John  M.  Beekman  \       }  _,  __.      , 

{  Mathew  Visscher 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Claverack  District  covering  92  Continental  and  six  hard 
Dollars  one  half  Johannis  and  one  Guinea  which  was  taken 
from  one  John  Snyder  whom  the  said  Committee  sent  to  us 
Prisoner,  and  the  said  Committee  have  also  [sent  to]  us, 
Stephen  Dukelon  as  a  Prisoner  —  Ordered  that  the  said 
Money  be  deposited  in  the  Hands  of  the  Treasurer  and  that 
a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take  the  said  John 
Snyder  and  Stephen  Dukelon  and  closely  confine  them 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Gerrit  Van  Hoesen 
and  others  £7-0-0  for  their  Expences  and  Pay  in  conducting 
to  this  Place  from  Claverack  John  Snyder  and  Stephen 
Dukelon  according  to  the  account  delivered  in  — * 

[25]  Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Committee 
of  Claverack  acknowledging  the  Receipt  of  their  Letter  and 

'The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166, 
State  Comptroller's  office.  It  is  made  out  to  Gerrit  G.  Van  Hosen,  and  is 
signed  "  for  myself  &  assosiates  "  by  "  Justis  Vanhoesan  Jun." 


iO2  State  of  New  York 

1778      informing  them  what  was  done  in  Consequence  of  it,  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (prout) 

John  Curden  of  Schatikook  District  was  permitted  to  go 
to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  &  Mont[h]ly  Appearance  he  engaged 
to  send  a  good  and  sufficient  Bail  upon  which  Promise  he 
was  discharged 

John  Curden  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Philip  G.  Viele  —  his  Bail ...  in £100 

Nothing  special  having  appeared  against  John  Van  Hening 
of  Newtown  he  was  permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  Place  of 
Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good  Be- 
haviour &  Monthly  Appearance  and  on  taking  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  — 

John  Van  Hening  on  Recognizance  in.  £100 

John  Concklin  of  Newtown  was  permitted  to  return  to  his 
usual  Place  of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

John  Conklin  on  Recognizance  in ....  £200 

Peter  Van  Campen  his  Bail ...  in ....  £200 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Honb.le  Major  General  Schuyler 
respecting  Simon  Earhart  and  William  Rogers  informing 
that  he  had  great  Need  of  them  and  requesting 
[26]  us  to  dispense  with  their  Appearance  on  Condition  of 
their  appearing  before  him,  which  Request  the  Board  have 
thought  proper  to  comply  with 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  General  Schuyler 
informing  him  that  the  Board  have  thought  proper  to  comply 
with  his  Requisition  —  which  letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
(prout) 

Daniel  Campbell  EsqT  and  James  Ellice  were   brought 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      103 


before  the  Board  for  speaking  Words  that  in  the  Opinion 
of  the  Board  might  have  a  dangerous  Tendency  &  prove 
detrimental  to  the  Liberties  of  America 

Ordered  that  they  be  respectively  held  in  Recognizance 
in  £500  each 

Daniel  Campbell  on  Recognizance  in.  £500  -- 
James  Ellice  on  Recognizance.  ...  in.  £500  -- 

Charles  Near  having  some  Time  since  been  sent  to  Hart- 
ford and  having  returned  with  a  Recommendation  &  Permit 
from  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners  at  Hartford  Ordered 
that  the  said  Charles  Near  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly 
Appearance 

Charles  Near  on  Recognizance  in.  ...  £100  -- 
Johannis  Hiedley  his  Bail  ----  in.  ...   £100  -- 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

[27]     Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  2nf  May  1778  —  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ) 

T         n   i?     j  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       >-       -j  J 

A/r     u       \T-     u       I        (  William  Wills 
Matthew  Visscher  J 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  Claverack  informing  that  he  had  received  a  Letter  from 
the  Chairman  of  Cooksakie  informing  him  that  there  is  a 
Person  who  offered  to  become  State  Evidence  respecting 
the  late  Robberies  —  Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to 
the  Chairman  of  Cooksakie  District  desiring  him  to  send  up 
the  said  Person  instantly  to  us  and  offering  to  grant  him  a 
Pardon  in  Case  he  will  make  up  a  full  Confession  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (prout)  -- 


104  State  of  New  York 


Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  Tom  the  Negro 
Man  of  Henry  Hogan  directed  to  the  Sheriff  commanding 
him  to  take  the  said  Tom  into  Custody 

Nothing  special  having  appeared  to  us  against  Nicholas 
Boss  he  has  permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode 
on  taking  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  and  entering  into  Recogni- 
zance for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Nicholas  Boss  on  Recognizance  in  ....  £100  -- 
Humphrey  Davenport  his  Bail  in.  ...  £100  -- 

Andrew  Liddle  having  some  time  since  been  confined  by 
the  Committee  of  Schenectady  and  nothing  specially  appear- 
ing against  him 

Ordered  That  the  said  Andrew  Liddle  be  permitted  to  go 
at  large  on  entring  into  Recognizance  for  his  good  behaviour 
[28]  and  Monthly  appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners — 

Andrew  Liddle  on  Recognizance  in..  ......  £100 

Jesse  Fairchild  his  Bail  ........  in  ........   £100 

John  Myers  who  was  some  Time  since  sent  to  Wethers- 
field  in  Connecticut  having  now  returned  by  Permission  of 
the  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners 

Ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  return  [to]  his  usual  Place 
of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

John  Myers  on  Recognizance  in.  ...  £100  —  „  — 
Johannis  Tater  his  Bail  .....  in  ....  £100  —  u  — 
Isaac  Hops  also  his  Bail  .....  in.  ...  £100  —  u  — 

8^  May  1778  Joh?  Tater  &  Isaac  Hops  delivered  up 
Johannis  Myers  —  * 

J  This  paragraph  is  an  insertion  in  the  manuscript  at  this  place. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      105 

John  Kortz  JunF  of  the  East  Camp  in  the  County  of  M1778 
Albany  was  permitted  to  be  confined  to  the  House  of  James 
Bingham  on  his  entering  into  Bond  not  to  exceed  the  Limits 
prescribed  to  him  in  the  said  Bond  nor  to  hold  any  Corre- 
spondence with  any  disaffected  Person  and  for  the  strict 
Performance  thereof  he  and  his  Bail  have  bound  themselves 
Jointly  and  severally  in  the  Sum  of  £1000  -- 

Adjourned    till  9  OClock  on  Monday  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  adjournment  4th  May  1778  — 
Present 


John  M.  Beekman  )        (     *",'  , 

Mathew  Visscher     \       ]  Jer.  Van  Rensselaer 

(  Cornelius  Humfrey 

John  Kelly,  Philip  Herrewig  and  others  this  day  brought 
in  and  delivered  to  the  Board  the  following  Persons  to  wit, 
Emmerigh  Plass,  Michael  Plass,  John  [29]  Dorn  and  John 
George  Emmerigh  as  Persons  disaffected  to  the  Cause  of 
America  and  whose  going  at  large  might  be  dangerous 
to  the  State,  together  with  the  Arms  of  Emmerigh  Plass, 
Michael  Plass  and  John  Dorn  — 

Ordered  That  the  said  Emmerigh  Plass  Michael  Plass, 
John  Dorn  and  John  George  Emrigh  be  confined  till  farther 
orders,  and  that  the  said  Arms  be  deposited  with  M?  John 
M  Beeckman  till  farther  orders  — 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Chairman  of  the  District  of  Schohary 
requesting  the  Committee  to  send  down  William  Schermer- 
horn  and  those  others  that  have  been  lately  taken  by  the 
Continental  Troops  in  that  Quarter  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following  (prout) 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


io6  State  of  New  York 

^1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  5th  May  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Cornelius  Humfrey  >•       •<  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junr 
James  MeMasters    )        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Joseph  Devall  of  Newtown  being  brought  before  the 
Board  and  nothing  appearing  specially  against  him  he  was 
permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Joseph  Devall  on  Recognizance  in..  £100  —  u  — 
Philip  Bovie  his  Bail £100  —  u  — 

Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT  according  to  Letter  directed  to  him 
appeared  and  having  taken  the  Oath  prescribed  took  his 
Seat  — 

[30]  Job  Wright  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  the 
Board  thinking  that  the  Subject  Matter  of  his  Confinement 
came  more  properly  before  the  Court,  on  Application  of  Col! 
Humfrey  to  the  Court  and  requesting  to  know  their  Opinion 
on  the  Matter  they  were  of  Opinion  that  he  should  be  abso- 
lutely discharged  ordered  therefore  that  the  said  Job  Wright 
be  permitted  to  go  at  large 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col?  Robert  Van  Renselaer 
informing  us  that  John  Lendertse  Van  Hoesen  and  his  Son 
Jacob  Van  Hoesen  had  been  apprehended  on  Suspicion  of 
having  been  concerned  in  the  Robbery  of  Henry  Van  Ren- 
selaer and  that  he  sent  them  to  us  under  Guard  ordered 
that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  Guard  £3  u  —  for  their  Trouble 
and  Expences  — l  and  also 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166, 
State  Comptroller's  office.  It  is  made  out  in  favor  of  Jonathan  Becraft  and 
Peter  Bont,  and  is  receipted  by  the  former. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      107 


Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to    -_ 

May  5. 

take  the  said  John  Lendertse  Van  Hoesen  &  Jacob  Van 
Hoesen  and  closely  confine  them 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take 
into  his  Custody  Emmerigh  Plass  Michael  Plass  John  Dorn 
and  John  George  Emmerigh  and  closely  confine  him 
[He]  - 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  6t:h  May  1778  —  1778 

May  6. 

Present 


John  M.  Beekman 

Cornelius  Humfrey  ,  TT     ,   , ,.    ,    „ 

L      -(  Hugh  Mitchell 


James  M?Masters 
Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun! 


(  Isaac  D.  Fonda 


I  Mathew  Visscher 


[31]  Stephen  Bell  the  Goaler  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  informed  Us  that  Christopher  Galer  was  very  sick  and 
that  it  would  be  more  convenient  at  the  Fort  for  him 

Ordered  that  the  said  Christopher  Galer  be  conveyed  to 
the  Fort  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  Volckert 
Dawson  to  receive  the  said  Christopher  Galer  into  his 
Custody 

Benjamin  Baker  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
nothing  specially  appearing  against  him,  we  have  thought 
proper  to  set  him  at  Liberty  on  his  entering  into  Recogni- 
zance and  enlisting  in  the  Continental  Army  — 

Benjamin  Baker  on  Recognizance  in..  £100  —  u  — 

George  Snyder  was  brought  before  us  and  w[e]  having 
no  Proff  of  any  particular  Crime  by  him  committed  (save 
that  of  going  to  the  Enemy)  we  have  thought  proper  to 


io8  State  of  New  York 


1778      let  him  go  at  large  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

George  Snyder  on  Recognizance  in  ...  £100  —  a  — 
James  Youngs  &  Simon  Snyder  Bail 

each  in  .........................  £100  —  u 

Wrote  an  Order  to  Johannis  Tater  and  Isaac  Hops  order- 
ing them  to  deliver  up  to  this  Board  John  Myers  for  whom 
they  lately  became  Bail  —  ordered  that  Cap*  Riley  deliver 
the  Order  to  MT  Tater  and  MT  Hops  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  9  OClock  — 


1778          b2]   Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  ;th  May  1778  — 

May  7.  r, 

Present 

Hugh  Mitchell        \  flsaac  D.  Fonda 

Cornelius  Humfrey  1  I  Mathew  Visscher 

John  M.  Beekman  F  j  Peter  Wynkoop  Junf 

James  M^Masters  J  t  Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 

Stephen  Scott  of  Pitstown  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  nothing  specially  appearing  against  him  he  was  per- 
mitted to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Stephen  Scott  on  Recognizance  in.  .  .  £100  —  /y  — 
James  Brown  Junf  his  Bail  —  in...  £100  —  „  — 

Stephen  DuCalon  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  was 
examined  with  Respect  to  the  Robbery  committed  at  Arent 
Van  Schaack's  at  Cooksakie,  but  as  he  would  not  give  any 
Satisfactory  Answers  to  such  Questions  as  were  put  to  him  he 
was  remanded  back  to  Prison  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       109 


James  MfMaster 
Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun[ 
Cornelius   Humfrey 
John  M.  Beekman 


Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Hugh  Mitchell 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 
Mathew  Visscher 


Received  a  Letter  from  William  Dietz  Esq?  at  Schohary 
informing  that  he  sent  down  William  Schermerhorn  and  [33] 
Henry  Quant  and  John  Thomason  supposed  to  be  guilty 
of  the  Robbery  lately  committed  at  the  House  of  Jacob 
Hogstrasser 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take 
the  said  William  Schermerhorn  Henry  Quant  and  John 
Thomason  and  closely  confine  them  — 

Harmanus  See  was  brought  before  us  and  we  having  en- 
quired into  the  Nature  of  his  Crime  and  finding  nothing 
special  against  him  (save  that  of  being  with  the  Enemy)  he 
was  permitted  to  go  and  work  with  Col?  Humfrey  and  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance 

Harmanus  See  on  Recognizance  in ...  £100  —  /7  — 

John  Stiles  of  Parmertown  was  permitted  to  return  to  the 
usual  Place  of  his  abode  and  his  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

John  Stiles  in  Recognizance  in £100  —  "  — 

Peter  Winne  his  Bail in £100  —  a  — 

Johannis  Tater  appeared  before  the  Board  and  delivered 
up  Johannis  Myers  for  whom  he  and  Isaac  Hops  had  become 
Bail  in  discharge  of  their  Recognizance  —  We  do  therefore 
discharge  the  said  Johannis  Tater  and  Isaac  Hops  from  the 
Recognizance  entered  into  by  them 


Met  pursuant  to  adjournment  8l:h  May  1778  — 
Present 


1 10  State  of  New  York 


1778          Ordered  that  a  Mittumus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to 

May  8. 

take  the  said  Johannis  Myers  and  closely  confine  him 
Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778  [34]     Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  9^  May  1778  — 

May  9. 


Present 

John  M.  Beekman 
Isaac  D.   Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 
Hugh  Mitchell 


(  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun* 
(  James  M'rMasters 


Joseph  A.  Concklin  of  Newtown  was  permitted  to  go  at 
large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  — 

Joseph  A  Concklin  on  Recognizance 

in £100  —  u  — 

Thomas  Smith  Diamond  his  Bail  in..  .   £100  —  u  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  ii1?  May  1778 

May  xi. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman    )        f  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       j        \  Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 

George  Cochel  was  brought  before  us  on  Suspicion  of 
being  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  but  no  material 
Evidence  appearing  against  him  we  have  thought  proper  to 
eliberate  him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour 

George  Cochel  on  Recognizance  in ...  £100  —  H  — 
Asa  Flint  of  Cambridge  District  was  eliberated  on  his  en- 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      1 1 1 

taring  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  M1778 
Appearance 

Asa  Flint  on  Recognizance  in £200  —  „  — 

Cornelius  Doty  his  Bail ...  in £200  —  u  — 

[35]  George  Wilson  of  Cambridge  District  was  permitted 
to  return  to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode  on  his  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appear- 
ance— 

George  Wilson  on  Recognizance  in ...  £200  —  u  — 
James  Ashton  his  Bail in ...   £200  —  u  — 

Thomas  Lake  of  Cambridge  District  was  eliberated  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance 

Thomas  Lake  on  Recognizance  in ...  £200  —  u  — 
Benjamin  Tiffany  his  Bail in ...  £200  —  u  — 

Mr  John  Ryley  appeared  before  the  Board  with  a  Number 
of  Men  whom  he  had  enlisted  for  the  Purpose  of  ranging 
about  the  Woods  and  doing  such  Services  as  should  be 
requested  of  them  by  the  Commissioners  the  Form  of  which 
Inlistment  is  in  these  Words 

"We  the  Subscribers  do  voluntarily  inlist  ourselves  into 
the  ranging  Service  under  the  Command  of  Cap?  John  Ryley 
and  to  continue  in  said  Service  until  the  last  Day  of  October 
next  unless  sooner  discharged  by  the  Commissioners  ap- 
pointed for  detecting  &  defeating  all  Conspiracies  which  may 
be  formed  in  this  State  or  any  three  of  them  or  any  legal 
Authority  for  which  Service  we  are  to  receive  from  the  said 
Commiss"  six  Shillings  per  Day  &  one  Ration  of  Provisions 
and  we  do  hereby  promise  and  engage  to  obey  the  Orders 
of  said  Commissioners  or  any  three  of  them  and  the  Orders 
of  such  Officers  as  they  may  think  proper  to  set  over  us" 


1  1  2  State  of  New  York 


Ma77ii  [^  Ordered  a^so  t^iat  a  Warrant  be  made  out  to  the 
said  John  Ryley  to  take  the  Command  of  the  said  Company 
which  Warrant  is  in  the  Words  following  (to  wit), 

By  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer,  John  M.  Beekman, 
Isaac  D.  Fonda,  and  Mathew  Visscher  Commis- 
sioners for  defeating  all  Conspiracies  which  may  be 
formed  in  this  State  against  the  Liberties  of 
America  — 

To  John  Ryley  Gentleman 

We  reposing  special  Confidence  in  your  Prudence  Valour 
&  Patriotism  do  hereby  nominate  constitute  and  appoint 
[you]  to  the  Command  of  a  Party  of  Rangers  to  be  em- 
ployed in  such  Services  as  we  shall  from  Time  to  Time  direct 
and  you  are  hereby  required  &  commanded  from  Time  to 
Time  to  do  and  perform  such  Services  as  shall  be  required 
from  you  by  us  or  any  three  of  the  said  Commissioners  Given 
under  our  Hands  at  Albany  this  1  1  Day  of  May  1778  — 

Ordered  further  that  the  said  Cap*  John  Ryley  and  the 
Men  under  his  Command  shall  previously  to  their  entering 
upon  Duty  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance 

Joseph  Concklin  of  Newtown  was  eliberated  on  enter- 
ing into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly 
Appearance 

Joseph  Concklin  on  Recognizance  in  .  £100  —  u  — 
Martin  Boskerk  his  Bail  .........  in  .  £100  —  u  — 

John  A  Concklin  of  Newtown  was  eliberated  on  enter- 
ing into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly 
Appearance 

John  A.  Concklin  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —  u  — 
William  Barton  his  Bail  ..........  in  £100  —  u  — 

[37]     Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       113 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  12  May  1778  —  if 

Present 


J°hn,  M"  Beekman  1        ( 
Matthew  Visscher    )        ( 

John  Hooper  was  brought  before  us  and  having  examined 
into  the  Reasons  of  his  Confinement  and  finding  nothing 
special  against  him  we  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him 
on  entering  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance 

John  Hooper  on  Recognizance  in  ----  £100  —  „  — 
Francis  Waggoner  his  Bail  ....  in  ....  £100  —  a  — 

John  Concklin  otherwise  called  Pinkey  John  was  eliberated 
on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  &  procuring  a  sufficient  Bail  --- 

John  Concklin  on  Recognizance  in  ...  £100  —  tl  — 

John  Dusenbury  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck  appeared 
before  the  Board  according  to  a  Citation  dated  6th  May  1778 
and  we  having  interrogated  him  respecting  the  Charges 
alledged  against  him  Ordered  that  the  said  John  Dusen- 
bury be  permitted  to  return  to  his  Place  of  Abode  on  entering 
into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appear- 
ance and  engaging  to  procure  a  good  and  sufficient  Bail  -- 

John  Dusenbury  on  Recognizance  in  .  £200  —  a  — 
Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[38]    Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  13*!*  May  1778  —  1778 

May  13. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        I 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       )        ( 


H4  State  of  New  York 


1778          It  appearing  from  a  Number  of  Affidavits  that  Hendrick 

May  13.    Yager  had  offered  in  Payment  and  passed  and  paid  false  & 

Counterfiet  Bills  as  and  for  true  Bills  of  Credit  emitted  by 

the  Authority  of  Congress  of  the  United  States  of  America 

knowing  them  to  be  counterfiet  and  forged 

Ordered  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  to  Christopher  Hawk 
Constable  of  the  District  to  apprehend  and  commit  the 
said  Hendrick  Yager  and  the  Keeper  of  the  Goal  was  by  the 
said  Warrant  commanded  to  receive  the  said  Yager  into  his 
Custody  — 

Johannis  Shaver  of  Schohary  was  eliberated  on  entering 
into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 

Johannis  Shaver  on  Recognizance  in .  £500  —  „  — 
Gysbert  Fonda  his  Bail in.  £500  —  u  — 

John  Rogers  and  Christian  Warran  were  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  to  give  Evidence  — 

John  Kortz  Jun?"  who  according  to  his  Bond  was  to  have 
the  Liberty  of  James  Bingham's  House  Yard  &  Stable  in- 
formed us  that  he  had  removed  to  the  House  of  Henry  Van 
Wie  in  this  City  and  requested  the  Approbation  of  this  Board 
to  such  Removal  which  we  have  thought  proper  to  grant  — 

[39]  Upon  the  Information  of  Stephen  Bell  the  Coaler 
that  Beriah  Chelson  had  got  the  small  Pox  and  was  dan- 
gerously 111  and  that  his  Situation  was  very  uncomfortable 
in  goal  and  that  his  Removal  to  the  Hospital  was  highly 
necessary 

Ordered  that  the  said  Beriah  Chelson  be  removed  and  that 
the  Director  of  the  Hospital  be  requested  to  receive  him  and 
take  him  under  his  Care  — 

James  Concklin  of  Newtown  was  permitted  to  go  at  large 
on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  & 
Monthly  Appearance  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      115 


James  Concklin  on  Recognizance  in  .  .   £100  —  tl  — 
Dirck  Heemstrat  his  Bail  in  .........  £100  —  tl  — 

Johannis   Shaver   JunT  was   permitted    to  return  to  his 
Place  of  Abode  on  entering  into   Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour  [and  Monthly  Appearance]1 
Johannis    Shaver    JunT    on    Recog- 

nizance ..............  in  ..........  £300  —  tl  — 

Johannis  Shaver  his  Bail  in  ..........  £300  —  u  — 

John  Vincent  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

John  Vincent  on  Recognizance  in  ....  £100  —  u  — 
Nicholas  Teachout  his  Bail  ----  in  ----  £100  —  u  — 

Adjourned  till  9  O  Clock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[40]     Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  14^  May  1778  —  *778 

iua  j     14* 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |        j  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda     j         (  John  M'Clung 

Arent  Van  Corlaer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  his  Commitment  and 
finding  no  material  Charge  against  him  (save  that  of  gowing 
to  the  Enemy  last  Summer)  we  have  thought  proper  to  set  him 
at  Liberty  he  behaving  as  becometh  &  conforming  to  the 
Laws  &  Customs  of  the  State  of  New  York  &  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly  Appearance 

Arent  Van  Corlaer  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —  u  — 
Baltus  Van  Benthuysen  his  Bail  ----  in  £100  —  u  — 

M?Grigor  Van  Iveren  of  Schohary  was  permitted  to  [go] 
at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  before  any  of  the  Justices  of  Schohary 

i  The  words  here  within  brackets  have  been  scored  out  in  the  manuscript. 


1 1 6  State  of  New  York 


1778  M?Gngor  Van  Iveren  on  Recogniz- 

May  14.  5.  r 

ance  in £100  —  a  — 

William  Price  of  Schohary  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  we  having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence  and 
finding  no  material  Charges  against  him  we  have  thought 
proper  to  set  him  at  Liberty  on  his  entering  into  Recog- 
nizance for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  before 
One  of  the  Justices  of  Schohary  — 

William  Price  on  Recognizance  in ....  £100  —  H  — 
Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778          [41]     Met  according  to  adjournment  15th  May  1778  — 
Present  — 

Tohn  M.  Beeckman }        ,  T  u    Tv/rcr-i 
{  (       j  John  MClung 

er.  Van  Rensselaer   V       \  A/r  ^  ,        -rr     , 
J  (        /  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda          } 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  M^CIung,  Alexander  Web- 
ster, Alexander  McNitt,  &  Ebenezer  Clark  informing  us  that 
they  had  opened  a  Board  in  New  Perth  Charlotte  County  and 
proceeded  to  Business  but  being  destitute  of  Money  and 
unable  to  carry  into  Execution  their  Designs  for  the  want 
thereof,  they  beg  to  have  it  drawn  out  of  the  Treasury  and 
transmitted  to  them,  in  Answer  to  which  the  following 
Letter  was  sent  to  them  — 

John  M^Clung  Esq?  one  of  the  Commissioners  exhibited 
to  this  Board  a  Letter  wrote  by  himself  &  three  other  Com- 
missioners of  Charlotte  County  requesting  the  Sum  of  four 
hundred  Pounds  to  defray  Expences  by  them  incurred  and 
also  to  answer  such  Demands  as  the  Service  of  the  State 
may  require  in  that  Part  the  Board  in  Answer  thereto  ac- 
quaint the  Gentlemen  that  the  said  Sum  shall  be  remitted  to 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      117 


them  as  Part  of  One  thousand  Pounds  drawn  for  from  the   lurI'778- 

May  15. 

Treasury  as  soon  as  the  Money  may  arrive  &  an  Opper- 
tunity  offers  &  transmit  the  same  with  Safety,  this  Board  beg 
Leave  to  suggest  to  their  Brother  Commissioners  that  the 
Utmost  Frugality  shall  be  adopted  by  them  in  expending  the 
said  Money  for  they  conceive  if  such  a  Caution  is  not  ob- 
served that  the  Allowance  made  by  the  State  will  be  far  from 
being  sufficient  &  if  the  said  Sum  should  be  exceeded  in 
Expenditures  by  us  we  conceive  that  the  setling  the  re- 
maining Accounts  will  be  attended  with  the.  greatest  Diffi- 
culties — 

[42]  Respecting  the  Situation  of  the  Families  in  Argile 
who  have  returned  to  their  respective  Habitations  and  are 
under  a  Tie  of  Nutrality  to  the  British  King  it  is  the  Opinion 
of  this  Board  that  their  Numbers  are  too  large  to  be  removed 
or  dealt  with  in  a  rigorous  Manner  therefore  as  Humanity  has 
always  been  the  particular  Character  of  Americans  and 
Freedom  incompatible  with  using  Severity  to  Woomen  and 
and  Children  who  otherwise  might  be  culpable  for  the 
Crimes  of  their  Parents  &  Husbands  it  may  be  justifiable  in 
the  Opinion  of  this  Board  to  cause  the  said  Delinquents 
(who  have  been  regardless  of  their  Country's  Freedom  & 
destitute  of  Feeling  for  their  Posterity)  to  come  before  them 
and  represent  to  them  their  Crimes  and  the  Difficulties  that 
will  attend  their  being  reinstated  in  the  Benefits  and  Prive- 
ledges  that  every  faithful  Subject  will  enjoy  under  a  free 
Constitution  also  to  enquire  if  any  have  engaged  to  take  up 
Arms  against  the  united  States  &  finally  to  take  an  Oath  of 
Nutrality  from  them  in  Behalf  of  the  States  whereby  they 
must  engage  if  possible  to  give  every  Aid  and  Assistance  in 
their  Power  to  the  States  excepting  bearing  Arms  and  by  no 
Means  to  give  or  cause  to  be  given  any  Aid  or  Comfort  to  the 
Enemies  of  the  States  but  from  Time  to  Time  give  such 


n8  State  of  New  York 


1778      Intelligence  to  the  Authority  of  the  State  as  may  come  to  their 
May  15.    ^  •          11        j  T  • 

Knowledge  respecting  all  and  every    .transactions  as  may 

come  to  their  Knowledge  of  the  Enemy  their  Emisaries 
Aiders  Abettors  or  Spies  — 

James  Robins  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined  into  the  Charges 
alledged  against  him  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him  on 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  before  One  of  the  Justices  of  Ulster  County  and 
on  his  going  to  Kingston  [43]  to  work  as  a  Carpenter  in  Col! 
Wynkoop's  Employ  — 

James  Robins  on  Recognizance  in. ...  £200  —  u  — 

Mathew  Watson  his  Bail in £200  —  u  — 

Sampson  Dyckman  his  Bail ...  in £200  —  a  — 

Moses  Cowan,  Ichabod  Cook,  and  John  Elder  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  were  permitted  to  return  to 
his  [sic]  usual  Place  of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Moses  Cowan  on  Recognizance  in £100  —  /;  — 

Robert  Cowan  —  his  Bail in £100  —  u  — 

Ichabod  Cook  on  Recognizance  in £100  —  u  — 

Christiaen  Schoolcraft  his  Bail,  in £100  —  tl  — 

John  Elder  on  Recognizance . .  in £100  —  tl  — 

John  M?Cool  . .  his  Bail in £100  —  u  — 

Stephen  Hooper  and  Thomas  Purchase  of  Newtown  were 
liberated  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
&  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Stephen  Hooper  on  Recognizance. .  in  £100  —  u 

John  Hooper  his  Bail in  £100  —  u  — 

Thomas  Purchase  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —  M  — 
Peter  Van  Campen  his  Bail in  £100  —  H  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      119 


Met  according  to  Adjournment  16^  May  1778  — 
Present 

Jer.  Van  Rensselaer  }        f  Isaac  D  Fonda 
John  M  Beeckman  j        \  Matthew  Visscher 

Cap*  George  White  and  MT  Isaac  Sheldon  appeared  before 
this  Board  and  informed  that  on  their  way  home  they 
stopped  at  Nicholas  Michal's  to  refresh,  that  during  their 
Stay  four  Men  who  were  Secreted  on  the  Garret  came  down 
[44]  in  the  Room  armed,  Assaulted  beat  and  abused  them 
together  with  one  Pease  and  Robbed  them  of  all  the  Money 
they  had  with  them  together  with  their  Horses,  and  led  them 
a  Considerable  distance  into  the  Woods  and  there  threatned 
to  take  their  Lives,  and  they  farther  inform  that  they  suppose 
the  said  Michal  and  Henry  Shans  know  who  the  perpetrators 
of  this  Robbery  were 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  Coll1  K.  Van  Rensselaer  be  re- 
quested to  detach  a  Party  of  his  Regiment  to  apprehend  and 
secure  all  such  Persons  who  are  supposed  to  be  concerned  in 
said  Robbery  and  them  safely  convey  to  this  City,  and  also 
immediately  to  apprehend  and  send  to  this  Board  Nicholas 
Michal  and  Jeremiah  Shans 

Resolved  That  Gen?  Conway  be  requested  to  order  a 
Party  of  ten  Men  with  an  Officer  to  assist  Coll1  Rensselaer' s 
Party  to  apprehend  the  Persons  above  named  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  17*?  May  1778  I77s 

May  17. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  J       1  Mathew  Visscher 

A  Letter  from  John  Younglove  with  two  Affidavits  in- 


120  State  of  New  York 


M1778  closed  were  delivered  to  the  Board  respecting  James  Noels 
who  was  sent  to  us  under  Guard  Ordered  that  the  said 
Affidavits  be  sent  to  Col.1  Humfrey  and  that  he  be  requested 
to  [45]  transmit  them  after  Perusal  to  Col.1  Robert  Van 
Rensselaer  which  Letter  and  Examinations  are  in  the  fol- 
lowing Words  (prout) 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


May7  18.  Met  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  i8*:h  May  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  A/r    ,       ^r     , 
^         -^    „      ,          r       i  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  J^onda       j        (. 

Cap*  John  Ryley  appeared  before  the  Board  with  the 
Party  under  his  Command  to  receive  Orders  from  us  Or- 
dered that  the  said  Cap*  Ryley  with  his  Party  proceed  by  the 
Way  of  Michels  to  Kinderhook  &  there  await  the  Orders 
of  Col1  Humfrey  and  from  thence  go  to  Cooksakie  and  ex- 
ecute such  Orders  as  shall  be  given  them  by  Col.1  Van  Ber- 
gens  as  by  the  said  Orders  may  more  fully  appear  — 

Nicholas  Michels  Wife  who  was  supposed  to  be  Accessory 
to  the  Assault  lately  committed  on  Cap*  George  White  was 
permitted  to  return  Home  — 

John  Thomas  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
enquired  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence  &  finding  nothing 
material  against  him  have  thought  proper  to  let  him  go  at 
large  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
&  Monthly  Appearance 

John  Thomas  on  Recognizance  in.  ...  £100  —  u  — 
Philip  Gregory  his  Bail  .......  in  ....  £100  —  /y  — 

[46]  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      121 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  19^  May  1778  — 
Present 

Hugh  Mitchell          )        |IsaacD.Fonda 
John  M.  Beekman   )        ( 

David  Wyng  and  John  Powers  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  their  Offences 
and  nothing  appearing  against  them  (save  that  of  going  to 
the  Enemy)  they  were  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering 
into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  &  Monthly  Appearance 

David  Wyng  on  Recognizance  in £200  —  u  — 

John  Powers  on  Recognizance  in £200  —  /y  — 

William  Powers  their  Bail in £200  —  u  — 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take 
William  Smith,  Benjamin  Best,  Philip  Shaver,  John  Shaver, 
and  Nicholas  Michel  into  his  Custody  and  closely  confine 
them  — 

On  Information  that  there  is  at  Schenectady  one  John 
Davis  who  says  that  he  is  lately  come  from  General  M'rDugall 
Head  Quarters  and  whose  Character  is  suspicious 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Fishkill  requesting  them  to  enquire  respecting  him  without 
Delay  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Humfreys  informing  that  he  sent 
to  us  under  Guard  Peter  Cole  his  Son  and  the  Widow  Taylor 
and  her  two  Daughters  Accessaries  to  the  Robbery  at  Henry 
Van  RensselaerV  Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  [47]  made 
out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take  them  into  Custody  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  They  were  brought  to  Albany  by  Jonathan  Chapman,  who  was  paid  £4, 
or  ten  dollars.  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40, 
p.  1 66,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


122  State  of  New  York 


1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  20^  May  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman )        f  A/T    u      \r-      u 
*          -.    —      ,        r       1  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Jbonda      )        (. 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col1  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  in- 
forming that  he  sent  to  us  under  Guard  the  Widow  Mesick 
one  of  her  Sons  Hendrick  Skinkle  and  John  Flyn  who  are 
supposed  to  be  privy  to  the  Robbery  at  Henry  Van  Renselaer 

John  Michel  Dorn  who  was  confined  for  Disaffection  was 
permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

John  M.  Dorn  on  Recognizance  in..  . .   £100  —  u  — 
Robert  Machesny  his  Bail in £100  —  u  — 

John  Myers  who  was  taken  up  on  Suspicion  of  being  con- 
cerned in  the  Robbery  of  M?  John  Van  Ness  at  Kinderhook 
was  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognzance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

John  Myers  on  Recognizance  in £100  —  u  — 

Jacob  Springer  his  Bail in £100  —  u  — 

Jeremiah  Shans  was  permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  Place 
of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
&  Appearance  at  the  next  Inferior  Court  of  Common  Pleas  — 

Jeremiah  Shans  on  Recognizance  in. .   £100  —  u  — 
Absalom  Woodworth  his  Bail in. .  £100  —  {l  — 

[48]     Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  2  if  May  1778  — 
Present 


John  M.  Beekman   )        f  A/r    ,       Tr.      , 
•:  >•       «  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.   tonda       J 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      1 23 


Emerigh  Plass  who  was  confined  for  Disaffection  was  MI77| 
brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  enquired  into  the 
Nature  of  his  Offence  and  finding  nothing  material  against 
him  we  have  thought  proper  to  set  him  at  Liberty  on  enter- 
ing into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  —  first  App:  to  begin  on  the  last  Day  of  June 
next  — 

Emmerigh  Plass  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  — 1{  — 
Archelus  Linn  his  Bail in. .  £100  —  u  — 

M?  Mathew  Aerson  appeared  before  the  Board  and  re- 
quested from  them  an  Order  to  ferry  over  Cap*  John  Ryley 
and  his  Men 

Ordered  that  M?  Aerson  ferry  over  no  Person  belonging  to 
Cap*  Ryley's  on  the  Commissioners  Account  without  an 
Order  from  One  of  them  or  from  Cap*  Ryley  — 

Ordered  that  Daniel  Bass  be  sent  down  to  the  Commis- 
sioners at  Fish  Kill  by  the  Troops  that  are  going  down  to  the 
Highlands 

Christina  Taylor,  Nancy  Taylor  &  Catharine  Taylor  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  Ordered  that  they 
be  recommitted  — 

William  Tyler  and  Bethuel  Huntley  were  ordered  to  be 
removed  to  the  Fort  on  Account  of  their  being  sick  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[49]      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  22"d  May  1 778.  1773 

May  22. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  \        (  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun? 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       )        (.  Mathew  Visscher 

Johannis  Van  Hoesen  JunF  and  Jacob  Van  Hoesen  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  with  Respect  to  the 


1 24  State  of  New  York 


22. 


1778      Robbery  committed   at  Henry  Van   Renselaer  s  to   which 

J  J 

they   were    supposed    to    be    Accessory    and     finding    the 

Supposition  rather  groundless  we  have  thought  proper  to 
set  them  at  Liberty  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour 


Johannis  Van  Hoesen  Junf  on  Recog- 

nizance in  .......................  £50  —  u  — 

Jacob  Joh?  Van  Hoesen  on  Recog- 

nizance in  .......................  £50  —  u  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col?  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  in- 
forming that  he  sent  to  us  under  Guard  Peter  Mesick  & 
Dirck  Vosburgh  Ordered  that  they  be  committed  to  Prison 
&  also  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  Eight  Dollars  to  the 
Guard  as  Part  of  their  Pay  and  take  their  Receipt1 

Nicholas  Lake  was  permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  Place 
of  Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance 

Nicholas  Lake  on  Recognizance  in.  .  .  £100  —  u  — 
Abraham  Schuyler  his  Bail  .....  in  ...  £100  —  a  — 

Michael  Plass  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence  and  finding 
nothing  special  against  him  we  have  thought  proper  to  set 
him  at  Liberty  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Be- 
haviour and  Monthly  Appearance 

Michael  Plass  on  Recognizance  .in.  .  .  £100  —  u  — 
Bastian  Visscher  his  Bail  .......  in  ...  £100  —  u  — 

[50]  John  Brock  of  Cinkaik  was  permitted  to  return 
Home  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance 

>The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163, 
State  Comptroller's  office,  made  out  in  favor  of  Peter  Bont. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      125 


John  Brock  on  Recognizance.  .  .  in  ...  £100  —  u  — 
John  Forgason  his  Bail  .........  in  ...  £100  —  tl  — 

William  Tyler  being  very  sick  was  ordered  to  be  conveyed 
to  the  Hospital  and  the  Director  of  the  Hospital  was  re- 
quested to  take  him  into  his  Care 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  23*?  May  1778  —  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ]        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda      j        (  Peter  Wynkoop  JunT 

Received  a  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson  EsqT  dated  Poug- 
keepsie  22n-d  Instant  accompanying  £1000  which  he  had  re- 
ceived from  the  Treasury  of  this  State  in  Consequence  of  the 
order  of  this  Board 

Ordered  That  the  said  one  thousand  Pounds  be  deposited 
in  the  Hands  of  M?  John  M  Beeckman  one  of  the  Members  of 
this  Board  and  be  applied  from  time  to  time  as  this  Board 
shall  order  and  direct 

Received  a  Letter  from  Major  Goes  informing  that  he 
sent  to  us  under  Guard  Abraham  Lot  and  Charles  Simmon 
who  are  concerned  in  the  Robbery  at  Van  Ness's  at  Kinder- 
hook  —  Ordered  that  the  said  Abraham  Lot  &  Charles 
Miller1  be  closely  confined  and  that  the  Sec?",  acknowledge 
the  Delivery  of  those  Persons  — 

[51]  Ordered  also  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Cap*  Clauw 
Eight  Dollars  for  his  arid  his  Partys  Pay  for  bringing  up  the 
forementioned  Persons  —  2 

Received  a  Letter  from  William  Dietz  Esq?  informing  that 

1  An  error  in  the  original  for  Simmon. 

'The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  162, 
made  out  in  favor  of  "  Burgar  Claw." 


1 26  State  of  New  York 


1778      he  sent  under  Guard  Christopher  Hot  and  William  M^Col- 

lock  for  Disaffection     Ordered  that  they  be  committed  — 

Ordered  that  Daniel  Bass  who  is  sick  be  conveyed  to  the 

Hospital  and  that  the  Director  be  requested  to  take  him  into 

his  Care  — 

m8  Albany  25th  May  1778- 

[Present] 


John  M.  Beeckman  1        (  "u§h  Mi'che11 
Isaac  D.   Fonda       I       1  Matthew  V.sscher 

{  Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT 

John  Sealy  who  was  confined  for  going  to  the  Enemy  was 
brought  before  us  and  we  having  examined  him  and  judging 
from  his  Appearance  that  he  had  been  seduced  by  others 
from  his  Allegiance  Ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  go  at 
large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance 

John  Sealy  on  Recognizance  in  .......  £100  —  a  — 

David  Arnold  his  Bail  .....  in  .......     £50  —  tl  — 

John  Hincocks  his  Bail.  ...  in  .......     £50  —  u  — 

David  Miller  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 
which  Term  is  to  commence  on  the  last  Day  of  June 

David  Miller  on  Recognizance  in  .....  £100  —  tl  — 
Isaac  Garnsey  his  Bail  .......  in  .....  £100  —  tl  — 

[52]  Gerrit  Miller  and  Philip  Switzer  were  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  their 
Offences  have  thought  proper  to  let  them  go  at  large  on 
their  entering  into  Recognizance  to  appear  before  the  Com- 
missioners of  Charlotte  County  and  there  give  such  Security 
for  their  good  Behaviour  as  the  said  Commissioners  should 
think  proper  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       127 

Gerrit  Miller  on  Recognizance,  in. .       £100  —  ..  —  J778 

May  25. 
Philip  Switzer  on  Recognizance  in. ...   £100  —  u  — 

Peter  Switzer  their  Bail in ....  £100  —  u  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  26^  May  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  \        ( 
Isaac  D.  Ponda     )        ( 

Henry  Quant  from  the  Helleberg  confined  in  this  Goal 
was  permitted  on  his  entering  into  the  Continental  Service  to 
go  at  large 

Zachariah  Overmagh  who  was  confined  was  brought  be- 
fore the  Board  and  we  having  enquired  into  the  Cause  of  his 
Commitment  and  finding  nothing  special  against  him  (save 
being  with  the  Enemy)  we  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate 
him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
&  Monthly  Appearance 

Zachariah    Overmagh    on    Recogni- 
zance  in £200 

Benjamin  Baker  his  Bail  in £200 

Francis  Brock  of  Cinkaick  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  finding  nothing  very  material  against  [53]  him  we  have 
thought  proper  to  let  him  go  at  large  on  his  entering  into 
Reocgnizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Francis  Brock  on  Recognizance in  £100 

Nathan  Armstrong  of  White  Creek  his 

Bail in  £100 

George  Fisher,  Benjamin  French,  J  ohn  Cowen  Bethuel 
Huntly  and  John  M'rDugall  of  Saragtoga  John  Wykoff  of 
Ballstown  and  Peter  Buchanon,  Peter  M'Dugall  and  James 


1 28  State  of  New  York 


1778  Blackley  of  Cambridge  District  confined  in  this  Goal  against 
whom  we  have  no  particular  Charges  —  Ordered  that  Letters 
be  wrote  to  the  Chairmen  of  the  different  Committees  from 
whence  those  Persons  are  come,  to  send  to  us  such  Charges 
as  they  may  have  against  them  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  27^  May  1 778  — 

May  27. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.Fonda         j        ( William  Wills 

Samuel  Perry  John  Perry  and  John  Stiles  of  Parmertown 
who  were  heretofore  eliberated  on  entering  into  Recognizance 
made  their  Appearance  — 

Information  was  given  to  the  Board  by  the  Widow  Baker 
the  [sic]  Lenah  Cronkheydt  has  in  her  Possession  a  Pair  of 
Silver  Shoe  Buckles  and  other  Things  her  Property  which 
was  last  Summer  Stolen  from  her,  and  it  appearing  also 
probable  that  some  essential  Evidence  might  be  got  from 
her  if  [54]  properly  examined  concerning  the  Robberies 
committed  in  the  East  part  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck 
last  Summer 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  Cap*  Ryley  cause  the  said  Lenah 
Cronkheydt  to  be  apprehended  and  brought  before  us,  and 
also  to  apprehend  and  bring  before  us  one  Martinus  Kimmel 
to  give  Evidence  against  the  said  Lenah  Cronkheydt 

On  Suggestion  of  Stephen  Bell  the  Goaler  that  the  Goal 
is  so  crouded  as  to  render  the  Situation  of  the  Prisoners 
very  disagreeable  —  Ordered  therefore  that  the  following 
Persons  be  removed  to  the  Fort  and  that  M^  Volckert 
Dawson  be  requested  to  receive  them  Alexander  Anderson, 
David  Michael,  John  Mills,  William  McKinsie,  Daniel 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       129 

Marsh,    John    Shaver,    John    George    Emmerigh    Duncan      1778 
Campbell,  Martin  Galer,  Martinus  Galer,   &  John  Snyder  —  May  27< 

Cap*  John  Riley  having  apprehended  Henry  Hoogteling 
for  having  been  concerned  in  the  Robberies  committed  at 
Van  Ness's  and  Van  Alstyne's,  and  his  Wife  and  his  Brother 
Abraham  Hoogteling  — 

Ordered  that  Henry  Hoogteling  be  closely  confined  and 
His  Wife  and  Abraham  Hoogteling  remain  in  the  City  until 
they  shall  be  called  for  — 

Patrick  Buchanon  of  Cambridge  District  was  eliberated 
on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  — 

Patrick  Buchanon  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —    — 
Archibald  MfVickers  his  Bail  ....  in  £100  —  u  — 

[55]  Dirck  Vosburgh  who  was  confined  was  permitted  to 
go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  to  appear  when- 
ever called  for  and  in  the  mean  Time  to  keep  the  Peace  — 

Dirck  Vosburgh  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  —    — 
Jacob  M.  Vosburgh  his  Bail —  in..  £100 —  u  — 

Hugh  Eraser,  John  Murry,  Walter  Turnbull,  and  Dougall 
M'rAslin  were  brought  to  us  by  a  Party  of  Continental  Troops 
stationed  at  Schohary  Ordered  that  they  be  committed  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment     29  May  1778  —  1778 

Present 

John   M.  Beekman  )         (  A/r    ,        xr.      , 
:!  „  \       \  Matnew  Visscher 

Isaac  U.  ronda        )        ( 

Duncan  Campbell  who  was  confined  for  Disaffection  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  we  finding  nothing  material 
against  him  have  permitted  him  to  go  at  large  on  his  enter- 


130  State  of  New  York 

1778      ing  into    Recognizance   for  good    Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance 

Duncan  Campbell  on  Recognizance  in    £100 

Peter  Schuyler  his  Bail in   £100  — 

John  Mills  of  Hosick  who  was  confined  was  permitted 
to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Be- 
haviour and  Monthly  Appearance 

John   Mills  on  Recognizance  in £100  — 

Hezekiah    Mosier  of  Cambridge    his 

Bail 100  - 

[56]  Daniel  Bass  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence  and  finding 
that  he  was  some  Time  ago  Apprehended  for  being  in 
Company  with  one  Betties  who  enlisted  Men  for  the  Serv- 
ice of  the  Enemy  and  it  having  appeared  that  he  was  not 
Accessory  thereto  and  it  appearing  also  from  a  Certificate 
from  the  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Dutchess  County 
that  he  has  always  behaved  him  well  and  had  rendered 
Personal  Service  to  the  State  in  a  Military  Capacity  Ordered 
therefore  that  the  said  Daniel  Bass  be  permitted  to  return 
to  Dutchess  County  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  before 
the  Chairman  of  the  said  Committee  of  Fredericksburgh 
there  to  be  dealt  with  as  the  said  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Fredericksburgh  should  think  proper  — 

Daniel  Bass  on  Recognizance  ...  in.       £50 

Nathaniel  Finch  his  Bail in.      £50 

M.™  Catharine  Mesick  of  Claverack  was  permitted  to 
return  home  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Be- 
haviour and  Appearance  when  called  upon 

Catharine  Mesick  on  Recognizance  in.  £50  — 
John  Van  Hoesen  his  [sic]  Bail ....   in.  £50  - 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      131 


On  Information  of  Stephen  Bell  the  Goaler  that  Benjamin 

T?     u  •     i       •  i_      11  r> 

r  rench  is  taken  with  small  rox  — 

Ordered  that  the  said  Benjamin  French  be  removed 
to  the  Hospital  and  that  the  Director  be  requested  to  receive 
him  — 

[57]  James  Sloan  and  Marte  Freligh  were  brought  before 
the  Board  for  Offences  heretofore  committed  by  them 

Ordered  that  they  enter  a  Recognizance  to  appear  on 
Tuesday  next  with  a  good  and  sufficient  Bail  — 

James  Sloan  on  Recognizance.  ..in  . .  £100 —    — 
Marte  Freligh  on  Recognizance  in  . .  £100  —    — 

M[  Peter  Ten  Broeck  confined  in  this  Goal  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  on  General  Ten  Broeck's  and  M?  John 
Ten  Broeck's  entering  into  an  Obligation  to  see  him  forth- 
coming when  called  upon  and  his  confining  himself  to  a 
House  and  Yard  in  this  City  and  on  his  signing  a  Parole 
to  observe  the  Restrictions  above  mentioned  and  not  to 
hold  any  Correspondence  or  Conversation  upon  Political 
Matters  with  any  Person  or  Persons  adhering  to  the  King 
of  Great  Britain  — 

Hendrick  Skinkle  of  Claverack  who  was  confined  on  Sus- 
picion of  being  Accessory  to  the  Robbery  committed  at 
Henry  Van  Renselaer  was  permitted  to  return  Home  on 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  — 

Hendrick  Skinkle  on  Recognizance 

in £100  —  — 

Abraham  Van  Valkenburgh  his  Bail 

in £100  —  — 

Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh  also  his 

Bail  in £100  —  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


132  State  of  New  York 


1778          [58]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  30  May  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman )        (\/TL       w      L 
1         —    ^  Y       4  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronaa.       )        ( 

Bethuel  Huntley  confined  in  Goal  in  this  City  who  was 
apprehended  for  having  been  with  the  Enemy  last  Summer 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  upon  Examination  of  the 
Proffs  [sic]  finding  no  other  material  Charges  against  him, 
and  Joseph  Smith  of  New  London  County  of  the  State  of 
Connecticut  having  engaged  to  enter  into  Bonds  in  the  sum 
of  Forty  Pounds  Current  Money  of  New  York  as  Security 
for  the  said  Bethuel  Huntley  for  his  Appearance  before  the 
Honorable  Mathew  Greswold  Esqf  Lieu*  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Connecticut  who  is  to  lay  him  under  such  Restric- 
tions as  he  may  conceive  necessary 

Ordered  therefore  that  the  said  Bethuel  Huntley  repair  to 
the  State  of  Connecticut  and  there  make  his  Appearance 
before  the  Lieutenant  Governor  and  that  upon  a  Certificate 
of  the  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  Appearance  of  the  said 
Bethuel  Huntley  as  aforesaid  the  said  Joseph  Smith  be  dis- 
charged from  his  Recognizance 

Bethuel  Huntley  on  Recognizance  in ....  £40 

Joseph  Smith  his  Bail in ....  £40 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning1 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Is?  June  1778  — 

June  i. 

Present 


John  M.  Beekman  )        f  _  , 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       f       \  MatheW  Vlsscher 


1  No  meeting  reported  for  May  31. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      133 


[59]  Three  Persons  were  brought  to  us  under  Guard  who 
upon  Examination  we  found  to  be  Robert  Sloss,  John  Sloss 
and  Archibald  M'rMullen  who  were  all  three  concerned 
according  to  their  own  Confession  in  the  Robbery  of  Henry 
Van  Renselaer  and  Arent  Van  Schaack  and  [Isaac]  Shelden 
their  Confessions  were  taken  down  in  writing  and  filed  — 
they  were  all  three  closely  confined 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Lieu*  Joseph  GifFord 
^i7y/2/y4  for  victualling  the  said  Robert  Sloss  John  Sloss, 
and  Archibald  M;Mullen  and  for  himself  and  Nine  Men 
Guarding  the  said  Persons  to  Albany  —  1 

Ordered  also  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Jacob  Van  Valken- 
burgh  £12^16^0  for  apprehending  the  said  Robert  Sloss, 
John  Sloss,  and  Archibald  M'rMullen  and  also  for  appre- 
hending and  securing  James  Noels  who  is  also  concerned  in 
the  abovementioned  Robberies  —  2 

Received  from  John  M^Clung,  Alexander  M?Nitt  and 
Alexander  Webster  a  Draught  for  Four  hundred  Pounds 
and  requested  us  to  pay  it  to  John  Rowan  —  Ordered 
that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  John  Rowan  the  four 
hundred  Pounds  drawn  for  and  take  his  Receipt  for  the 
same3 

Christopher  Witting  a  Hessian  Deserter  from  the  British 
Army  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  in  this  County  on 
Zachariah  Veller  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  entering 
in  Recognizance  for  his  good  and  peaceable  Behaviour  — 

Zachariah  Veller  on  Recognizance  in  .  .   £40  —  a  — 

[60]  Robert  Sloss  on  being  searched  was  found  to  have 
with  him  twenty  two  Dollars  which  was  supposed  to  be 

>The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.   164, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 
2  Ibid,  p.  163. 
1  Ibid,  p.  1  76 


134  State  of  New  York 


1778      Part  of  the  Money  he  had  stolen     Ordered  that  the  said 
June  i. 

Money  be  taken  and  deposited  in  the  Hands  of  John  M. 
Beekman  the  Treasurer  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  2^  June  1778  — 

Present  — 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  A/T    ,        w.      , 
J  V       «  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda       ) 

Melchert  Fill1  and  Robert  Machesney  were  brought 
before  the  Board  and  requested  to  become  Bail  for  James 
Sloan  and  Marte  Freligh  Ordered  that  they  be  laid  under 
Recognizance,  for  Monthly  App:  &  good  Behaviour 

James  Sloan  on  Recognizance,  in. . .  £100  —  u  — 

Robert  Machesny  his  Bail in. . .  £100  —  u  — 

Marte  Freligh  on  Recognizance  in..  .  £100  — 

Melchert  Fill  his  Bail in..  .  £100  — 

Henry  Groat  of  Cambridge  District  was  permitted  to  go 
at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Henry  Groat  on  Recognizance  in.  ...   £100 

Nathan  Smith  his  Bail in ....   £100 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 
1778  Met  ^  Tune  1778,  5  OClock  P.M. 

June  3.  J  •  J  1 1    *  j 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |       f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Cornelius  Humfrey  j       \  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junr 

1  So  written  in  original  for  File. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       135 
[61]  Amos  Lucas  appeared  before  the  Board  and  pro-      *778 

f  June  3. 

duced  a  Recommendation  from  the  Committee  of  Kings- 
bury  setting  forth  that  he  has  a  good  Estate  and  that  they 
think  him  sufficient  as  a  Bail  and  the  said  Amos  Lucas 
requesting  us  that  William  Tyler  of  Kingsbury  might  be 
released  on  his  becoming  Bail  for  him  Ordered  that  the 
said  William  Tyler  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering 
into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appear- 
ance — 

Amos  Lucas  Bail  for  William  Tyler..  £100 —  u  — 

Ordered  that  the  Director  of  the  Hospital  be  requested 
to  deliver  William  Tyler  to  his  Bail  Amos  Lucas 

Major  Hale  the  Commissary  of  Prisoners  appeared  before 
the  Board  and  informed  that  Thomas  Man  was  exchanged 
and  requested  that  he  might  be  permitted  to  go  down  to 
the  Highlands  Ordered  that  the  said  Thomas  Man  be 
discharged  and  that  the  Goaler  be  ordered  to  discharge 
him  — 

John  Showers  was  apprehended  on  Suspicion  of  being 
concerned  in  the  Robbery  at  Van  Ness's  Ordered  that  he  be 
committed  and  that  the  Sheriff  be  ordered  to  take  him  into 
Custody  and  closely  confine  him 

On  Information  that  there  is  a  Barrel  of  stolen  Goods 
concealed  in  the  Barn  of  Joe  Primmer  Ordered  that  Cap* 
Ryley  be  requested  to  detach  a  Party  to  go  and  make  Search 
in  Joe  Primmer' s  Barn  and  if  they  find  any  Thing  there  to 
bring  Primmer  with  them  — 

Charles  Stevenson  Charles  Gray  and  George  Hill  who 
were  some  Time  since  confined  in  this  Goal  on  Application 
[62]  of  Doctor  Hayes  were  sent  down  to  the  Highlands  in 
Order  to  be  exchanged  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


136  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  4^  June  1778  — 

J  ""*    «^« 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }       j  Cornelius  Humfrey 
Isaac  D.  Fonda        j       1  Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT 

It  is  ordered  by  the  Board  that  Christian  Smith  appear 
before  the  Board  by  to  Morrow  Morning  and  that 
the  said  Christian  Smith  be  served  with  a  Copy  of  this 
Rule  — 

Hugh  Paul  a  British  Soldier  was  brought  before  the 
Board  Ordered  that  the  Officer  of  the  Guard  at  the  Fort 
be  requested  to  receive  him  into  his  Custody  — 

go*;11  May  1778  were  brought  up  under  Guard  before  the 
Board  John  J  Vosburg  and  Lourence  Scharp  both  of  Kin- 
derhook  for  passing  Counterfiet  Money  it  was  Ordered  that 
they  should  be  confined  —  and  that  the  Treasurer  should 
pay  to  Jacob  Wiltsie  and  two  others  who  came  up  with 
them  as  a  Guard  ^4//o//o  and  that  he  should  take  their 
Receipt  for  the  same  —  * 

Daniel  Marsh  of  Socialburg  in  Charlotte  County  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined  into  the 
Nature  of  his  Offence  and  finding  no  particular  Charges 
against  him  have  thought  proper  to  let  him  return  to  his 
usual  Place  of  abode  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
good  Behaviour  and  engaging  to  procure  a  sufficient  Bail  in 
fourteen  Days  Time  and  Archibald  Campbell  became  his 
Bail  for  that  Time 

Daniel  Marsh  of  Recognizance  in ...     £50  —  u  — 
Archibald  Campbell  his  Bail . .  in ...     £50  —  u  — 

[63]  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  161, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       137 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  5?  June    1778 —    f^l\ 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        j  Cornelius  Humfrey 
Isaac  D.  Fonda        !        (  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun? 

Daniel  Marsh  who  was  Yesterday  discharged  on  entering 
into  Recognizance  to  procure  a  sufficient  Bail  appeared 
before  the  Board  and  offered  as  his  Security  One  Ichabod 
Bump  and  Cap*  John  Younglove  having  certified  that  the 
said  Ichabod  Bump  is  a  Freeholder  &  as  such  is  a  sufficient 
Bail  Ordered  that  the  said  Ichabod  Bump  enter  into 
Recognizance  for  the  future  good  Behaviour  of  the  said 
Daniel  Marsh  and  that  Archibald  Campbell  be  discharged 
from  his  Recognizance 

Daniel  Marsh  on  Recognizance  in ...     £50  —    — 
Ichabod  Bump  his  Bail in. . .     £50  —    — 

John  Sloss  James  Noels  and  the  two  Daughters  of  the 
Widow  Taylor  were  examined  with  Respect  to  the  Robbery 
committed  at  Henry  Van  Renselaers  and  after  being  so 
examined  were  Ordered  to  be  recommitted  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  6  June  1778  —        Tune86 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )       j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Cornelius  Humfrey  j        (  Petrus  Wynkoop  ]unT. 

Isaac  Shelden  Constable  appeared  before  us  and  delivered 
to  us  a  Silver  Watch  2  Silver  Buckles  2  Gold  Hat  Bands 
I  Gold  Hat  Loop  and  One  hundred  and  Five  [64]  Dol- 
lars Ordered  that  a  Receipt  be  drawn  acknowledging  the 
Receipt  of  those  Things — and  that  the  Money  be  delivered 


138  State  of  New  York 


1778      into  the  Hands    of   the    said    Isaac    Shelden    and  that  he 
June  6. 

be  accountable  therefor  to  this   Board  the  above  Articles 

were  taken  by  Virtue  of  a  Warrant   from   George   White 
Esqf 

I  the  Subscriber  do  hereby  acknowledge  to  have  received 
of  the  Commissioners  One  hundred  and  Five  Dollars  which 
I  promise  to  be  accountable  for  when  called  upon 

[Signed:]     Isaac  Shelden     Constable 

Several  Articles  that  were  stolen  from  Henry  Van  Ren- 
selaer  were  Ordered  to  be  delivered  to  the  said  Henry  Van 
Renselaer  and  his  Receipt  taken  therefor  — 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  Isaac  Shelden  £^alQtP 
for  taking  the  Stolen  Effects  of  Henry  Van  Renselaer  con- 
cealed in  the  House  of  Daniel  Folger  according  to  his 
Account  delivered  in  — l 

Henry  J.  Mesick  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  on 
Suspicion  of  being  concerned  in  the  Robbery  at  Henry  Van 
Renselaer's  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  at  the 

next  Supream  Court  — 
* 

Henry  J.  Mesick  on  Recognizance  in.   £500  —    — 
Lewis  Footie  his  Bail in.  £500 —    — 

delivered  to  MT  Peter  W.  Douw  i  Bank  Note  of  600 
Dollars  N?  208  I  light  Blew  Coat  3  Pair  of  Stockings  about 
a  Yard  of  White  Linnen  which  the  said  Peter  W.  Douw 
has  given  his  Receipt  for  and  for  Which  he  promises  to  be 
accountable,  the  above  are  supposed  to  belong  to  Arent 
Van  Schaack  &  are  supposed  to  be  stolen  — 

[65]   MT.   Peter  Ten   Broeck  who  was   some  time  since 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163, 
State  Comptroller's  office.  The  pay  was  for  mileage  from  Albany  to  Philips 
Town,  thence  to  Cinkaik  and  to  Saratoga,  in  search  of  the  stolen  goods. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       139 


apprehended,  was  Liberated  upon  his  entring  into  Bond 
with  two  Sureties  each  in  the  Sum  of  £500,  for  his  appear- 
ance when  called  for,  and  not  to  exceed  the  Limits  of  the 
Houses  of  John  Ten  Broeck,  Wessel  Ten  Broeck,  Jacob 
Ten  Broeck  and  the  Rev'?  McCock  - 

Albany  oth   Tune  1778  *779 

Present-  June  9 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  Matthew 
Isaac  D  ronda          ; 

William  McKinsey  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
upon  examining  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence,  find  no 
particular  Charge  against  him  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  he  be  Liberated  from  confine- 
ment upon  entring  into  Recognizance  with  surety  for  his 
future  good  behaviour  and  monthly  appearance  before  one 
of  the  Commissioners  —  he  was  accordingly 

Bound  himself  in  ........................  £100 

Phineas  Babcock  his  Bail  of  Queensbury.  .  .      100 

Whereas  it  appears  probable  in  the  opinion  of  this  Board, 
that  divers  of  the  Subjects  of  this  State,  have  lately  gone 
over  to  and  joined  a  Party  of  Savages  who  have  [lately]1 
committed  the  Depredations  at  Schoharry 

Therefore  Resolved  That  it  be  and  it  is  hereby  [66]  most 
earnestly  recommended  to  the  Coll?  or  Commanding  Officers 
of  the  respective  Militia  Regiments  in  this  County  fortwith 
to  order  the  Captains  or  Commanding  Officers  of  Companie1 
to  make  immediate  returns  to  this  Board  of  the  Names  of 
such  Persons  of  their  respective  Companies  who  have  during 
the  Alarm  at  Schoharry  been  and  are  still  absent  from  their 
respective  Places  of  abode  — 

1  This  word  is  scored  out  in  the  manuscript. 


140  State  of  New  York 

1778          Peter  Meesick  JunT  who  was  some  time  since  confined 
June  9.  . 

on  suspicion  of  being  concerned  in  the  Robbery  at  Henry 

Van  Rensselaer's,  and  it  appearing  that  the  Suspicion  was 
not  so  well  founded 

Ordered  That  he  be  Liberated  from  Confinement  upon 
entring  into  Recognizance  with  Surety  in  the  Penal  Sum 
of  £500  each  his  future  good  behaviour  and  Monthly 
appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  He  was 
accordingly  bound  into  Recognizance 

himself in .  £500 

Jacob  Vossburgh  of  Claverack  his  Bail  in.      500 

Jonathan  Wears,  and  Thomas  Hastle  two  British  Prison- 
ers who  had  for  some  time  been  in  the  Country  were  brought 
before  the  Board 

Ordered  That  they  be  sent  to  the  Main  Guard  there  to 
be  kept  untill  such  Time  as  an  oppertunity  offers  to  send 
them  [67]  to  Major  Hale  Commissary  of  Prisoners 

Jacob  Cluet  was  apprehended  for  uttering  Sentiments 
unfavorable  to  the  American  Cause  and  for  insinuating 
that  he  knew  of  and  was  Accessory  to  Plots  &  Conspiracies 
formed  and  concerted  by  the  Tories  &  was  brought  before 
us  and  we  having  examined  the  Persons  who  were  brought  as 
Evidences  against  him 

Ordered  that  the  said  Jacob  Cluet  be  permitted  to  return 
Home  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Appearance  next  Friday  Eight  Days 

Jacob  Cluet  on  Recognizance  in £100  —  a  — 

Gerrit  Cluet  his  Bail in ....  £100  —  a  — 

William  Ellison  presented  an  Account  of  Cornelius  C. 
Miller  which  was  attested  to,  for  victualling  lodging  &c 
Five  Prisoners  and  several  Persons  as  a  Guard  which 
amounted  to 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      141 

Ordered  the  Treasurer  pay  the  above  Sum  to  William    _I778 

.  .  June  9. 

Ellison  for  the  said  Cornelius  C  Miller  and  take  his  Receipt 

therefor  — 1 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  lo?  June  1778  —  2  OClock  Post  Merediem  —         j££8lo. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman )        f  ,,     ,        xr      , 
1         _    _  h       •{  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  L).  ronda        )        ( 

Daniel  Folger  of  Saragtoga  District  in  whose  Possession 
was  found  a  Watch  belonging  to  Henry  Van  Renselaer  and 
which  was  stolen  by  Robert  Sloss  and  One  hundred  Dollars 
in  Money  was  brought  before  us  and  we  having  examined 
him  have  thought  proper  to  permit  [68]  him  to  return  Home 
on  entering  into  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next  Supream 
Court  to  give  his  evidence  — 

Daniel  Folger  on  Recognizance  in ...     £50  —    — 
William  Coffin  of  Saragtoga   District 

his  Bail in ...     £50  —    — 

Thomas  Martin  and  Hugh  Paul  were  brought  before  us 
and  it  appearing  that  they  were  Deserters  from  the  British 
Army  and  that  they  had  peaceably  behaved  themselves 
during  their  Residence  in  this  Country 

Ordered  that  they  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  behaving 
themselves  in  a  peaceable  and  quiet  Manner  — 

John  Flinn  who  was  some  Time  ago  confined  on  Sus- 
picion of  being  concerned  in  the  Robbery  of  Henry  Van 
Renselaer  was  examined  and  his  Examination  being  taken 
in  Writing  and  attested  to  before  John  M.  Beekman  EsqT 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


142  State  of  New  York 


1778          Ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  [go  tol  his  usual  Place  of 
June  10.  r  . 

Abode  on  entering  into  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next 

Supream  Court  — 

John  Flinn  on  Recognizance  in £50  —  tl  — 

Daniel  Folger  delivered  to  the  Board  6  Silver  and  25 
Continental  Dollars  which  he  said  he  had  received  of  Robert 
Sloss  —  Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  take  the  Money  into  his 
Custody 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778          [69]    Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment    n^  June  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  AT    u       \T-     u 
•|  >•       -j  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda 

John  Lorentz  Corres  a  Hessian  Deserter  from  the  British 
Army  appeared  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  that  he 
had  hitherto  conducted  himself  in  a  peaceable  Manner  during 
his  Residence  in  the  County  he  was  permitted  to  go  at  large 
throughout  the  County  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  informing  that  the 
Revl  Mf  Stewart  the  Indian  Minister  had  removed  from 
Fort  Hunter  to  Schonectady  with  his  Family  —  that  he 
conceived  M.T.  Stewart  would  have  it  in  his  Power  to  convey 
Intelligence  from  that  Place  to  the  Indians  and  as  MT  Stewart 
has  always  been  a  declared  Enemy  to  the  Liberties  of  America 
he  thought  it  would  be  necessary  to  Order  him  down  the 
Country 

Received  a  Letter  from  Robert  Yates  Esq?  informing 
that  there  is  a  certain  Thomas  Anderson  in  the  Manor  of 
Livingston  a  Blacksmith  who  is  charged  by  D^  Latham 
with  encouraging  Negroes  to  desert  from  their  Masters  to  go 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       143 


over  to  the  Enemy  and  forging  a  Pass  under  the  Signature 
of  Captain  Solomon  Strong 

Ordered  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  to  apprehend  the 
said  Thomas  Anderson  and  commit  him  to  Goal  &  that  the 
Keeper  of  the  Goal  be  required  to  take  him  into  his 
Custody  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[70]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  12^  June  1778  —      I77g 

June  12. 
Present 

>•       -I  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda 

It  having  been  suggested  to  us  that  John  Smith  who 
stands  charged  with  having  committed  several  Robberies  is 
at  present  at  his  Fathers  Jurrie  Smith's  in  Livingston's 
Manor  and  that  Jonathan  Wickwire  who  is  an  Accomplice 
with  the  said  John  Smith  also  lurks  somewhere  in  that 
Quarter 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT 
Esq^  requesting  him  to  have  the  said  John  Smith  and  Jona- 
than Wickwire  instantly  apprehended  and  sent  to  this 
Place  as  by  the  said  Letter  will  appear  — 

Ordered  that  Captain  John  Ryley  apprehend  and  commit 
to  Goal  Hugh  Frere  Thomas  Wood  Junf  of  New  Britain 
Martinus  Kimmel  and  Frederick  Querin  of  Poesten  Kill  who 
stand  severally  charged  with  having  committed  several  Rob- 
beries and  the  Keeper  of  the  Goal  was  ordered  to  receive  them 

The  Board  was  informed  that  Thomas  Garnet  and  others 
keep  at  a  place  called  Peesink  and  there  plunder  and  distress 
the  good  and  faithful  Subjects  of  this  State  — 

Ordered  That  Cap*  Ryley  and  his  Rangers  immediately 
be  sent  for,  to  go  in  quest  of  said  Garnet  and  others,  and 


144  State  of  New  York 


,  that  Matthias  Boom  be  sent  for  as  a  Guide,  and  that  the 

Tune  12. 

said  [71]  Matthias  Boom  be  ordered  to  attend  this  Board 
to  Morrow  at  four  OClock  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Time7!  ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  13^  June  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  A/r    i        TT-      r 
•*         _    _  f       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       )        ( 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Commissioners  at  Pougkeepsie 
informing  them  that  Jacob  Cortman  who  stands  charged 
with  the  Murder  of  Abraham  Van  Ness  is  somewhere  in  the 
Nine  Partners  and  requesting  them  to  have  him  apprehended 
—  also  that  the  Board  have  been  under  a  Necessity  to  raise 
a  Party  of  15  Rangers  whom  they  have  been  under  a  Neces- 
sity of  Paying  6/  a  Day  besides  their  Rations  and  requesting 
to  know  from  them  what  allowance  they  make  to  such 
Parties  of  the  Militia  as  bring  in  Prisoners  —  which  Letter 
is  in  the  Words  following  (prout)  — 

Ordered  that  Cap*  John  Ryley  with  his  Party  of  Rangers 
proceed  with  all  possible  Secrecy  &  Dispatch  in  a  Batteau 
to  Coyemans  and  from  thence  to  a  place  about  five  Miles 
above  Peesink,  and  there  endeavour  to  apprehend  Thomas 
Garnet,  Roeliff  Van  der  Kar  John  Stoner,  John  Cafort, 
Stephen  Miller  and  others 

Ordered  that  Application  be  made  to  the  Commanding 
Officer  for  a  Party  of  Continental  Troops  as  an  Additional 
Guard  to  be  under  the  Direction  of  Cap*  Ryley  — 

[72]  Ordered  that  Application  be  made  to  Col!  Lewis 
for  a  Batteau  for  the  Guard 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  D?  Stephen  M^Crea  informing  that  as 
to  his  Brother  he  stood  Indicted  for  having  heretofore  been 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       145 


a  Militia  Officer  and  afterwards  going  over  to  the  Enemy  J778 
and  accepting  under  them  a  Commission  of  Ensign  and 
that  Thomas  Man  who  was  lately  exchanged  stood  charged 
with  having  taken  an  Oath  not  to  give  any  Aid  Comfort  or 
Intelligence  and  afterwards  going  over  to  them  and  accepting 
under  them  an  Ensigns  Commission  —  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following  (prout)  — 

The[n]  Adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning  10  OClock  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  15^  June  1778        r^78 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  T\T    u       ir      u 
:;  c       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  tonda       j        (. 

Received  a  Letter  from  George  White  EsqT  informing 
that  he  sent  to  us  under  Guard  John  Lary  who  was  taken  up 
by  him  for  travelling  without  a  Pass  and  we  having  examined 
him  and  finding  that  he  is  a  Deserter  and  as  such  belongs  to 
the  Military 

Ordered  that  the  said  John  Lary  be  delivered  over  to 
Brigadier  General  Starks  to  be  dealt  with  as  he  may  think 
proper  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

[73]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  16  June  1778 — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  A/r    ,        -rr      L 
*         T-.   T-      i          r       i  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  .Fonda        )        ( 

Cloude  Van  Deusen  and  William  Beacraft  two  Constables 
of  Claverack  District  appeared  before  us  with  Thomas 
Anderson  who  they  had  apprehended  by  Virtue  of  a  Warrant 
from  under  our  Hands  — 


146  State  of  New  York 


1778  Ordered  that  the  said  Thomas  Anderson  be  Closely 
confined  —  and  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  Cloude 
Van  Deusen  and  William  Beacraft  £4/^0  for  their  Expence 
and  Trouble  in  apprehending  the  said  Thomas  Anderson 
according  to  their  Account  delivered  in  — 1 

James  Farguson  who  was  last  Night  apprehended  by  the 
City  Guard  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  him  and  finding  that  he  has  no  Pass  and  appears 
to  be  a  suspicious  Person  Ordered  therefore  that  the  said 
James  Farguson  be  closely  confined  — 

Adjourned  until  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

I778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  17  June  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        ( 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       |        (. 

Major  John  Van  Renselaer  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  informed  that  he  had  found  at  the  House  of  the  Widow 
Johnson  I  Scarlet  Cloack  &  2  Shirts  Marked  H  V  R  [74] 
the  Property  of  his  Father  Henry  Van  Renselaer  and  also 
I  Black  Silk  Gown  which  was  given  him  by  One  Townsend 
and  also  informed  that  One  of  the  Shirts  which  his  Father 
had  given  his  Receipt  for  did  not  belong  to  him  and  that  he 
was  willing  to  deliver  it  up  when  called  for  — 

A  certain  Gillmore  who  was  some  Time  since  confined 
for  travelling  without  a  Pass  and  appearing  to  be  a  sus- 
picious Person  was  brought  before  us  and  we  having  exam- 
ined him  have  thought  proper  to  permit  him  to  enlist  in  the 
Continental  Service  — 

David  Michael  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  who  was 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163, 
State  Comptroller's  office,  signed  "  Gloudey  Vandeusen." 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       147 


confined  on  Suspicion  of  being  concerned  in  the  Murder 
and  Robbery  of  John  Van  Ness  and  who  was  indicted  and 
tried  and  on  his  Trial  was  acquitted  was  brought  before  us 
and  we  thinking  he  might  be  released  have  permitted  him  to 
go  at  large  on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behav- 
iour and  Monthly  Appearance 

David  Michael  on  Recognizance  in..  .   £100  -- 
Jurie  Michael  his  Bail  ..........  in.  .  .  £100  -- 

Peter  Cole  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  him  with  Respect  to  the  Goods  stolen  of  Henry 
Van  Renselaer  which  were  left  with  him  in  Order  to  be 
secreted  was  ordered  to  be  recommitted  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

[75]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  18^  June  1778  —      *778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  AT    ,        \T-     r 
•*  r       "i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       )        ( 

It  having  appeared  to  us  by  the  Information  of  two 
Persons  that  Hans  Riemer  is  employed  an  Express 
to  convey  Letters  from  New  York  to  the  Tories  and 
particularly  from  Abraham  Cuyler  to  One  of  the  Glens 
at  Schonectady 

Ordered  therefore  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Hugh  Mitchell 
EsqT  one  of  the  Commissioners  at  Schonectady  to  endeavour 
by  every  Means  in  his  Power  to  cause  the  said  Riemer  to  be 
apprehended  or  such  Dispatches  as  may  be  sent  to  Schonec- 
tady to  be  secured  and  immediately  to  inform  us  of  the 
Nature  of  them 

John  Boyd  JunT  and  Alexander  M^Auley  who  were 
apprehended  by  a  Party  of  Continental  Troops  at  Jessup's 


148  State  of  New  York 


1778      Patent  on  their  Way  to  Canada  were  brought  before  us  and 

June  18.  .  J 

we  having  examined  them  have  thought  proper  to  have 
them  closely  confined  — 

Ordered  that  John  M.  Beekman  EsqF  the  Treasurer  to 
this  Board  pay  to  Cap*  John  Ryley  two  hundred  Dollars 
for  and  on  Account  of  the  Company  of  Rangers  under  his 
Command  — 

James  Blakely  was  liberated  on  his  entering  into  Recogni- 
zance for  good  Behaviour  &  Mont[h]ly  Appearance 

James  Blakely  on  Recognizance.,  in. .  £100 

John  Boyd  his  Bail in . .  £100 

[76]  Jacob  Finehout  who  was  apprehended  and  brought 
before  us  by  Captain  Ryley  we  have  thought  proper  after 
examining  to  permit  to  return  Home  on  his  entering  into 
Recognizance  to  appear  when  called  for  — 

Jacob  Finehout  on  Recognizance  in.,  .  £100 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  ioth  Tune  1778  — 

June  19. 

Present. 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  A/r     ,        \r      \, 
•*  \       \  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  Do  Fonda         )        ( 

Jacob  Cluet  who  was  bound  in  Recognizance  to  appear 
this  Day  appeared  and  it  being  suggested  to  us  that  he  it 
knowing  to  and  Accessory  to  a  Robbery  committed  as 
Cornelius  Steensberg 

Ordered  that  he  be  closely  confined  and  that  the  Goaler 
be  ordered  to  receive  him  into  his  Custody  until  further 
Orders  from  us  or  any  other  three  of  the  Commissioners  — 
and  that  his  Bail  Gerrit  Cluet  be  discharged  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      149 


Benjamin  French  of  Saragtoga  who  was  confined  for  last  uj 
Summer  going  to  the  Enemy  was  brought  before  us  and  we 
having  examined  him  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him 
on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
his  Appearance  when  called  upon  — 

Benjamin  French  on  Recognizance  in  .  .  £100  -- 

[77]  On  Suggestion  to  us  by  the  Widow  Baker  that  Lena 
Cronkheydt  has  a  Pair  of  Buckles  the  Property  of  the  said 
Widow  Baker  which  it  is  supposed  she  has  taken  out  of  the 
House  of  the  said  M1?  Baker  last  Summer  when  she  fled  on 
Account  of  the  Tories 

Ordered  that  Captain  John  Ryley  bring  the  said  Lena 
Cronkheyt  before  us  — 

Nicholas  Michael  who  was  confined  for  being  Accessory 
to  the  Assault  and  Robbery  committed  on  George  White 
Esqf  and  others  was  brought  before  us  and  we  having 
examined  him  with  Respect  to  the  Charge  alledged  against 
him  have  permitted  him  to  return  Home  on  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  at  the 
next  Supream  Court 

Nicholas  Michael  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  -- 
Andries  Michael  his  Bail  .........  in.  £100  -- 

Frederick  Boonstel  who  was  confined  for  going  to  the 
Enemy  last  Summer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  him  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate 
him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Appearance  when  called  upon 

Frederick  Boonstel  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  -- 
Nicholas  Michael  his  Bail  .........  in.  £100  -- 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


150  State  of  New  York 

1778      [78]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  20^  June  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  A/r    ,        ,T.     , 
::          ~    „  >•       •{  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda       j        ( 

On  Information  that  Hans  Riemer  who  came  as  an  Express 
from  New  York  with  Dispatches  for  the  Tories  had  in 
passing  through  Niscutaw  put  up  at  the  House  of  Albert 
Van  Der  Zee  — 

Ordered  that  the  said  Albert  Van  Der  Zee  appear  before 
us  to  give  us  Information  respecting  this  Matter  — 

Ordered  that  Cornelius  Steenberg  appear  before  us  to 
give  us  Information  respecting  the  Robbery  committed  at 
his  House  last  Summer  — 

Teunis  Slingerlandt  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
next  Wednesday  — 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Commissioners  in  which  was 
inclosed  a  Description  of  several  Persons  supposed  to  be 
those  who  have  lately  committed  the  Robberies  in  Living- 
ston's Manor  and  requesting  them  to  have  them  appre- 
hended and  secured 

Also  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Representatives  of  the  City 
and  County  of  Albany  in  Assembly  to  endeavor  to  procure 
an  Act  for  the  Purpose  of  raising  another  Company  of 
Rangers  to  be  under  the  Command  of  this  Board 

[79]  Wrote  another  Letter  to  Cornelius  Humfrey  EsqF 
One  to  Hugh  Mitchell  Esql  and  another  to  Petrus  Wyn- 
koop  EsqT  requesting  their  Attendance  next  Tuesday 

Ordered  that  Col!  Van  Bergen  be  requested  to  detach  a 
Party  to  the  House  of  Hans  Riemer  to  endeavour  if  possi- 
ble to  apprehend  the  said  Hans  Riemer  and  send  him  to 
us  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       151 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  22—  Tune  1778  —          1778 

June  22. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  Ayr    ,        ,,.      . 
;         ~    T,  f       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda        j        ( 

The  Board  were  informed  that  one  Nicholas  Kerglaer 
could  give  information  respecting  Thomas  Garnet  and 
others  who  keep  in  the  woods  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  that  he  cited  to  appear  before  this 
Board  on  Wednesday  next  which  was  done  accordingly  — 

The  Board  were  informed  that  Johannis  Landtman 
Johannis  Ruyter  and  others  who  last  Year  went  to  Canada, 
had  returned  and  were  now  about  their  respective  places 
of  abode, —  and  that  Abraham  Bovie  could  give  informa- 
tion concerning  them  and  direct  where  they  may  be 
found 

Ordered  That  Cap*  Ryley  be  directed  fortwith  to  repair 
with  the  Rangers  under  his  [80]  Command  repair  to  Hosick, 
and  endeavour  to  apprehend  said  Landtman,  Ruyter  and 
others,  and  that  he  call  upon  Bovie  for  directions 

Michael  Plass  made  application  to  the  Board  for  a  Pass 
to  go  down  to  the  East  Camp  Ordered  that  a  Pass  be 
made  out  for  the  said  Michael  Plass  — 

Cap*  John  Relay1  presented  to  the  Board  a  Pay 
Roll  for  the  Company  of  Rangers  under  his  Command 
amounting  in  the  whole  to  two  hundred  and  Eighty 
three  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings  which  said  Pay  Roll  is 
made  out  to  this  Day  and  commences  from  the  Time  of 
their  Inlistment  — 

Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  Cap?  John 
Ryley  two  hundred  and  three  Pounds  Nineteen  Shillings 
which  together  with  the  Eighty  Pounds  paid  him  on  the 

1  So  written  in  original  for  Ryley  or  Reilay. 


152  State  of  New  York 


1778      jgth  June  1778  amounts  to  £283^19^0  the  Amount  of  the 
Pay  Roll  - 

Abel  Eastwood  was  brought  before  the  Board  for  having 
been  with  the  Enemy,  and  we  having  examined  him  and  it 
appearing  therefrom  as  also  from  the  information  of  John 
Younglove  Esq?  that  he  had  been  seduced  to  go  to  the 
Enemy  by  evil  designing  Persons  — 

Ordered  That  he  be  Liberated  from  Confinement  upon 
his  entring  into  Recognizance  for  his  good  behaviour  and 
appearance  when  called  for,  and  also  not  to  depart  the 
Limits  of  the  District  of  Cambridge  without  leave  in  writ- 
ing from  one  of  the  Commissioners  or  from  the  said  John 
Younglove  Esq? 

Abel  Eastwood  on  Recognizance  in..  £100 —    — 
[81]  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  23rd  June  1778  — 

23* 

Present  — 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  A/1     ,        w      i 
*         _    „      .  [•       •<  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  JD.  ronda         j        (. 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  Major  Jansen  at  Livingston's  Manor 
requesting  of  him  to  inform  the  Board  what  Character 
Thomas  Anderson  who  is  at  present  confined  in  Goal  has 
hitherto  sustained  and  in  what  Manner  he  stands  affected 
to  the  American  Cause  — 

Cap?  Henry  Ostrom  appeared  before  us  and  exhibited  a 
Complaint  against  Johannis  Vanake  for  being  disaffected  to 
the  Cause  of  America  and  traducing  his  Character  — 

Ordered  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  to  apprehend  the 
said  Johannis  Van  Ake  and  that  he  be  brought  before 
us  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Philip  Conine  Esq! 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       153 


requesting  him  to  endeavour  by  every  possible  Means  to  1P7?8 
apprehend  Johannis  Riemer  who  is  employed  by  the  Enemy 
to  carry  Dispatches  to  the  Tories  and  that  if  he  should  be 
fortunate  enough  to  take  him  to  send  him  together  with 
such  Papers  as  should  be  found  in  his  Possession  to  us 
immediately  — 

Peter  Farguson  of  Beekman's  Precinct  Dutchess  County 
who  was  confined  in  this  Goal  on  Account  of  being  of  a 
suspicious  Character  as  he  was  found  in  Company  with 
Persons  who  had  committed  Robberies  and  other  Mis- 
demeanors on  Application  of  Stephen  Farguson  he  [82] 
was  permitted  to  return  to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  with  the  said  Stephen  Farguson 
as  his  Bail  to  appear  before  the  Commissioners  at  Pough- 
keepsie  there  to  abide  by  such  Restrictions  as  the  said 
Commissioners  should  think  necessary  to  impose  upon 
him  — 

Peter  Farguson  was   bound   by   Re- 
cognizance   in £100  — 

Stephen  Farguson  his  Bail  in £100  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commiss1?  at 
Poughkeepsie  to  inform  them  what  Steps  had  been  taken 
with  respect  to  the  said  Peter  Farguson  and  stating  the 
Charges  against  him  and  requesting  of  them  to  lay  him 
under  Restrictions  — 

Jonathan  Wears  and  Thomas  Hastings  two  British  Sol- 
diers who  were  apprehended  and  confined  were  brought 
before  the  Board  and  examined 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Major  Hale  informing 
him  that  we  have  sent  down  those  Persons  in  Order  that 
they  may  be  dealt  with  as  Prisoners  of  War 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


154  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment — Albany  24^  June  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman   \        ( 

Cornelius  Humfrey    V      -<  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun? 

Isaac  D.  Fonda         ) 

Isaac  Shelden  Constable  appeared  [before]  the  Board 
with  One  George  Richardson  whom  he  had  taken  up  on 
Suspicion  on  his  Examination  we  find  that  he  has  passed 
through  [83]  the  Country  under  a  fictitious  Name  and  with 
a  Pass  supposed  to  be  forged  under  the  Signature  of  Israel 
Lucas  EsqT  &  that  he  is  a  Soldier  belonging  to  Cap-  Ger- 
shom  Motts  Company  of  Artillery  — 

Ordered  that  he  be  closely  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus 
be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  safely  to  keep  him  — 

John  M*rDole  of  Saragtoga  District  who  was  confined  for 
going  to  the  Enemy  last  summer  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  we  having  examined  him  have  thought  proper 
to  eliberate  him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance,  his  first  Appear- 
ance to  commence  with  the  last  Day  of  July  now  next 
ensuing 

John  M'rDole  on  Recognizance  in ...  £100  —    — 
John  Mahany  his  Bail in ...   £100  —    — 

A  Habeas  Corpus  issued  out  of  the  Supream  Court  of 
Judicature  for  the  State  of  New  York  allowed  by  the  Hon^r6 
Robert  Yates  EsqF  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  said  Court  was 
exhibited  to  this  Board  whereby  the  Sheriff  of  the  City  and 
County  of  Albany  was  commanded  to  have  the  Body  of 
William  Smith  who  was  committed  to  the  Prison  of  the 
said  County  by  Virtue  of  a  Mittimus  from  this  Board  and 
whereas  by  an  Act  of  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York 
entitled  "an  Act  appointing  Commissioners  for  detecting 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      155 


and  defeating  Conspiracies  and  declaring  their  Powers"  it 
is  enacted  that  no  Judge  or  Magistrate  shall  Bail  any  of  the 
Persons  who  may  be  confined  by  Authority  of  the  said 
Commissioners 

[84]  Resolved  that  the  said  Mittimus  so  far  as  it  respects 
the  said  William  Smith  be  abrogated  and  void 

Resolved  that  the  Sheriff  be  directed  with  the  Body  of 
the  said  William  Smith  to  Claverack  and  do  as  he  is  com- 
manded by  the  said  Habeas  Corpus  — 

Albert  Van  Der  Zee  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  appeared  according  to  the  Citation  and  we  having 
examined  him  with  Respect  to  Hans  Riemer's  being  at  his 
House  and  he  having  given  satisfactory  Answers  to  such 
Questions  as  were  asked  of  him  he  was  discharged 

Johannis  Van  Ake  was  brought  before  the  Board  by  Virtue 
of  a  Warrant  for  that  Purpose  and  we  having  heard  the 
Charges  exhibited  against  him  by  Cap*  Ostrom  do  therefor 
Resolve  that  the  said  Johannis  Van  Ake  do  make  Conces- 
sions to  the  said  Cap*  Ostrom  for  traducing  his  Character 
and  that  he  [be]  bound  in  Recognizance  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  — 

Johannis  Van  Ake  on  Recognizance  in.  .  £50  —    — 

Evan  Davis  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  was  brought 
before  the  Board  for  propogating  Reports  Injurious  and 
detrimental  to  the  State  and  having  examined  him  we 
have  thought  proper  to  bind  him  by  Recognizance  to  make 
known  all  Treasonable  Actions  and  Doings  which  may 
come  to  his  Knowledge  and  to  do  his  Duty  as  a  good  and 
faithful  Subject  to  the  State  — 

Evan  Davis  on  Recognizance  in £100  —    — 

[85]  Jacob  Cluet  who  was  confined  on  Suspicion  of  being 
concerned  in  the  Robbery  of  Cornelius  Steenberg  was 


156  State  of  New  York 


1778      brought  before  the   Board   and  we  having  examined  him 
June  24.  e       .  & 

and  finding  that  the  Presumption  against  him  is  not  so 

strong  but  that  he  might  be  bailed 

Ordered  therefore  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confine- 
ment on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good  Be- 
haviour and  Appearance  when  called  upon  — 

Jacob  Cluet  on  Recognizance  in  .....  £100  —    — 
Dirck  Cluet  his  Bail  .........  in  ....  £100  —    — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  25  June  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman       ^        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Cornelius  Humfrey       >      •<  Hugh  Mitchell 
Petrus  Wynkoop  Junf  )        [  Mathew  Visscher 

Coenrad  Quant  of  the  Helleberg  who  was  confined  for  Dis- 
affection was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  him  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good  Behaviour  and 
Appearance  when  called  upon  — 

Coenrad  Quant  on  Recognizance  in.  ...  £40  -- 

Richard  Bronck  presented  to  the  Board  an  Account  for 
bringing  up  to  Albany  from  Cooksakie  William  Barton  and 
Alexander  Penman 

[86]  Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  Richard 
Bronck  ^3/^/0  according  to  the  Account  delivered  in  and 
take  his  Receipt  therefor1 

On  Suggestion  to  the  Board  that  there  is  at  the  Helleberg 
a  Hessian  who  appears  to  be  dangerous  Ordered  that  a 

i  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol..  40,  p.  164, 
State  Comptroller's  office,  signed  "  Reitsent  Bronck." 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      157 


Letter  be  wrote  to  Cap  *  John  Van  Wie  requesting  him  to      rl778 
bring  down  the  said  Hessian  when  he  the  s<?  Cap*  Van  Wie 
returns  from  the  Command  he  is  now  upon 

On  Information  exhibited  to  the  Board  by  Alexander 
McLean  that  there  is  a  certain  Pharo  —  who  has  inti- 
mated that  there  are  certain  Persons  in  this  City  who 
have  supplied  the  Savages  and  Tories  to  the  Westward  with 
Ammunition 

Ordered  that  the  said  Pharo  —  be  cited  immediately  to 
appear  before  this  Board 

Some  Time  since  a  Letter  was  received  from  Hugh  Mitchell 
Esqf  intimating  to  us  that  the  Rev1?  Mf  Stewart  being  at 
Schonectady  has  it  in  his  Power  from  that  Place  to  corre- 
spond with  the  Enemy  by  Means  of  his  particular  Con- 
nections with  the  Savages,  and  we  having  taken  the  above 
Facts  into  our  Consideration  do  therefore  Resolve  that  the 
said  Mf  Stewart  do  forthwith  with  his  Family  repair  to  the 
State  of  Connecticut  until  his  Exchange  can  be  procured 
and  that  he  set  off  in  four  Days  after  this  Resolution  is 
delivered  to  him  —  and  on  Failure  of  complying  herewith 
[87]  it  is  Ordered  that  he  be  put  into  close  Confinement 

George  Fisher  of  Saragtoga  who  was  [confined  for]  having 
been  last  Summer  with  the  Enemy  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  we  having  examined  [him]  have  thought  proper 
to  eliberate  him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

George  Fisher  on  Recognizance £100 

Timothy  Shipman  his  Bail  in £100 

Van  Nist  of  Nistutaw  was  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  next  Saturday  — 

Adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  9  OClock  in  the 
Morning 


158  State  of  New  York 


1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment — Albany  27^  June  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ]        (  Ayr     ,        -rr      , 
^         _    _^  r       i  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Ponda 

The  Rev?  Mr  John  Stewart  who  was  by  a  Resolution  of  the 
25^  Instant  to  repair  with  his  Family  in  four  Days  after  the 
Delivery  of  said  Resolution  to  the  State  of  Connecticut 
there  to  remain  until  an  Exchange  might  be  procured  for 
him  and  on  Failure  of  Complying  therewith  that  he  should  be 
put  in  close  Confinement  appeared  before  this  Board  and 
declared  his  Readiness  to  convince  them  that  he  had  not 
corresponded  with  the  Enemy  and  that  he  was  ready  and 
willing  to  enter  into  any  Engagements  for  the  faithful  Per- 
formance of  such  matters  as  might  be  enjoyned  him  — 

[88]  Therefore  resolved  that  the  said  Resolution  be  and 
is  hereby  suspended  and  that  the  said  Rev'?  MT  John  Stewart 
enter  into  Parole  in  the  mean  Time  not  to  do  or  say  any 
Thing  in  Opposition  to  the  Measures  pursued  by  the  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States  of  America  or  by  the  Legislature  or 
executive  Powers  of  either  of  the  said  States  and  that  he 
shall  and  will  not  hold  any  Correspondence  by  Word  or 
Deed  upon  political  Matters  with  any  of  the  Enemies  of  the 
said  United  States  of  America  or  either  of  them  and  not  to 
depart  the  Limits  of  the  Town  of  Schonectady  without 
Permission  from  one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  — 

Van  Nist  who  was  cited  to  appear  to  answer  respecting 
an  Express  from  the  Enemy  who  was  said  to  have  been  at  his 
House  appeared  and  we  having  questioned  him  and  finding 
his  Answers  satisfactory  have  thought  proper  to  discharge 
him  — 

Isaac  Witbeck,  John  G.  Klauw,  Joachim  Collier  & 
Abraham  Herdick  were  sent  to  us  under  Guard  by  Col?  Peter 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       159 


Vrooman  on  being  examined  they  pretend  that  there  going 
Hunting  they  were  taken  near  Freehold 

Ordered  that  they  be  carried  to  the  Fort  and  that  the 
Goaler  by  Mittimus  be  requested  to  receive  him 

Then  adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning  — 

[89]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  29*.h  June  1778      j^7® 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        f  A,    ,        ,7.      , 
^         _    _      .         [•       •[  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  JHonda       )        ( 

Cap*  Kasper  Huyck  appeared  before  the  Board  and  being 
interrogated  with  Respect  to  Abraham  Herdick  —  who  is 
confined  and  he  having  certified  that  the  said  Abraham 
Herdick  has  always  conducted  himself  as  a  Friend  to  the 
United  States  and  to  their  Cause 

Ordered  therefore  that  the  said  Abraham  Herdick  be 
discharged  from  his  Confinement 

Cap*  John  Ryley  appeared  before  the  Board  with  two 
Hessian  Deserter[s]  from  the  British  Army  whose  Names  are 
Christian  Ortlip  and  Hemligh  Streligh  Ordered  that  the  said 
Christian  Ortlip  and  Hemligh  Streligh  be  permitted  to  go  at 
large  in  this  County  and  that  a  Pass  be  made  out  for  them  — 

Jonathan  Brown  of  Woodstock  in  the  State  of  Connecticut 
who  was  apprehended  at  Hosick  by  Cap*  Ryley' s  Party  of 
Rangers  was  brought  before  us  a  Person  who  not  having  a 
Pass  was  supposed  to  be  a  Dangerous  Person  and  we  having 
examined  him  have  thought  proper  to  permit  him  to  go  with 
[Ryley]1  Cap*  Ryleys  House  there  to  remain  till  an  Enquiry 
can  be  made  respecting  him  — 

1  The  name  in  brackets  is  scored  out  in  the  original.  The  sense  of  the 
permission  granted  is  that  Brown  was  put  into  the  custody  of  Captain  Ryley 
at  the  house  of  the  latter. 


1 60  State  of  New  York 


Isaac  Witbeck,  Jochim  Collier,  and  John  G.  Clauw 
who  were  lately  confined  were  again  brought  before  the 
Board  and  it  appearing  from  several  Certificates  from  the 
Major  the  Captain  and  Lieutenants  of  the  Regiment  and 
Company  to  which  they  respectively  belong  that  they 
always  have  been  well  affected  to  the  American  Cause  and 
conducted  themselves  as  such  we  have  thought  proper  on  the 
above  mentioned  Certificates  and  Recommendations  to 
eliberate  them  on  their  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour  and  Appearance  when  called  upon 

Isaac  L.  Witbeck  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  -- 
Jochim  Collier  on  Recognizance.,  in.  £100  -- 
John  G.  Clauw  on  Recognizance.,  in.  £100  -- 
Lowrence  Boskerk  their  Bail  ......  in.  £100 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 
1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  30^  June  1778  — 


^ 

Present 


John  M.  Beekman 
Isaac  D.  ronda 


)        ( 
)        ( 


James  Blackley  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
from  the  Board  an  Order  on  John  Barclay  Esq^  late  Chair- 
man of  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany 
for  a  Pocket  Book  which  was  deposited  in  the  Hands  of  the 
Said  John  Barclay  when  the  said  James  Blackley  was  com- 
mitted to  Prison 

[91]  Ordered  that  an  Order  be  drawn  on  the  said  John 
Barclay  to  deliver  up  the  said  Pocket  Book  with  its  In- 
closures  to  the  said  James  Blackley 

Hendrick  Van  Hining  who  was  heretofore  Bound  by 
Recognizance  to  Appear  Monthly  before  One  of  the  Members 
of  this  Board  and  to  keep  the  Peace  and  to  [do]  his  Duty  as  a 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       161 


good  and  faithful  [soldier]  having  by  his  Captain  proved  to 
us  that  he  always  has  been  well  affected  to  the  American 
[Cause]  —  Ordered  that  the  said  Hendrick  Van  Hining  be 
absolutely  discharged  from  his  Recognizance 

Thomas  Anderson  who  was  confined  upon  the  Complaint 
of  Doctor  Latham  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  him  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him 
on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next 
Supream  Court  and  good  Behaviour  to  that  Time 

Thomas  Anderson  on  Recognizance  in  £100 

Jacob  Powers  his  Bail in  £100 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  i^  July  1778  J778 

July  i. 
Present 

Tohn  M.  Beekman  )        (  A/r    ,        Tr.      , 
^         _^   _  c       i  Matnew  Visscher 

Isaac  L).  £onda       )        ( 

Frederick  Kermer  appeared  before  the  Board  and  under 
Oath  testified  to  such  Matters  as  [he]  knew  respecting  Jacob 
Cluet  which  Examination  was  taken  down  in  Writing  and 
is  filed  — 

[92]  Ordered  that  John  Rogers  and  Isaac  Van  Valken- 
burgh  of  Beverdam  appear  before  us  on  Saturday  next  to 
shew  Cause  why  the  Recognizance  by  them  entered  into 
should  not  be  forfieted  — 

The  Reverend  MF  Swertfeger  who  was  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  appeared  according  to  the  Citation  and  we 
having  questioned  him  with  respect  to  the  Situation  of  Affairs 
at  the  Helleberg  and  he  having  given  satisfactory  Answers 
thereto  was  discharged  — 

Ordered  that  Daniel  G.  Van  Antwerp  who  some  Time 


1 62  State  of  New  York 


1778  ago  engaged  to  deliver  up  Peter  Stoner  when  called  upon 
deliver  up  the  said  Peter  Stoner  on  Saturday  next 

It  being  suggested  to  the  Board  that  Joh?  Van  Der  Karr 
who  is  on  Parole  holds  a  Correspondence  with  Thomas 
Garnet  Roeliff  Van  Der  Karr  and  others  — 

Ordered  that  the  said  John  Van  Der  Karr  be  Cited  to 
appear  before  us  on  Saturday  to  answer  such  matters  as  may 
be  exhibited  against  him 

The  Same  suggestion  being  made  against  Nicholas 
Kerglaer,  and  thereupon  the  same  order  made  and  Citations 
issued 

Ordered  that  Cap*  John  Ryley  with  the  Party  of  Rangers 
under  his  Command  go  to  the  Helleberg  —  he  will  there 
endeavour  to  make  strict  Enquiry  for  such  [93]  Persons  as 
are  dangerous  to  the  State  and  if  he  should  find  any  he  is 
to  bring  them  to  us,  he  will  when  he  arrives  at  the  Helleberg 
consult  with  Cap*  Jacob  Van  Aernam  and  take  his  Direc- 
tions, from  the  Helleberg  he  is  to  go  to  Niscutaw  where 
he  will  be  directed  by  Lieu*  Devoe  what  Steps  to  take  at 
that  Place,  if  he  should  want  a  larger  Body  of  Men  for  the 
Apprehension  of  any  Party  of  Offenders  than  his  Company 
is  adequate  to  he  will  make  Application  to  the  Militia 
Officers  who  are  hereby  requested  to  furnish  him  with  such 
a  Number  of  Men  as  he  shall  want  —  If  he  should  meet  any 
Persons  who  to  him  appear  suspicious  he  is  to  challenge 
them  &  if  they  cannot  give  an  Account  of  themselves  he  is 
to  bring  them  to  us  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 
1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2^  July  1778  — 

July  2. 

Present 


lohn   M.  Beekman  )        (  A/r    ,        \r      \. 
J  >       •{  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda        j        ( 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       163 


Ordered  that  Jacob  Ball  Junf  and  Gysbert  Fonda  appear      '778 
before  us  on  Tuesday  next  to  shew  Cause  why  the  Recogniz- 
ance by  them  entered  into  should  not  be  forfieted 

Ordered  that  Philip  Cogh,  Peter  Livingstone  ]unr.  and 
Jacob  Freligh  appear  before  us  next  Tuesday  to  shew  Cause 
why  the  Recognizance  by  them  entered  into  should  not  be 
forfieted  — 

[94]  Ordered  that  Charles  Near  and  Johannis  Heidley 
appear  before  us  on  Tuesday  next  to  shew  Cause  why  the 
Recognizance  by  them  entered  into  should  not  be  for- 
feited — 

Ordered  That  a  Letter  be  prepared  to  John  M?Clung 
Esq?  one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  requesting  him  to 
make  a  return  of  his  proceedings  with  all  Convenient 
Speed  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  3rd  July  1778  1778 

July  3. 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  ,,     ,        -r7.      , 
J  >•       •<  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  tonda         j        ( 

John  Boyd  Jun?  and  William  McAuley  who  had  been 
some  time  since  apprehended  near  Jessups  Patent  and 
supposed  to  be  on  their  Way  to  the  Enemy  in  Canada,  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  and  it  having 
appeared  to  us  as  well  from  their  examination,  as  other 
Persons  that  their  intention  only  was  to  go  to  Crown  Point 
to  endeavor  to  get  a  Sum  of  Money  due  them  from  Persons 
living  at  that  Place  and  that  they  are  Persons  who  have 
heretofore  in  many  instances  evinced  their  Attachment  to 
the  United  States  of  America  — 

They  were  thereupon  Liberated  upon  entring  into  Recog- 


164  State  of  New  York 


nizance  each  in  the  Sum  of  £200  with  sufficient  Surety  for 
future  good  behaviour  and  Monthly  appearance 

[95]  Jonn  Boyd  JunT  on  Recognizance  in ...  £200 

John  Graham  D?  of  Albany  Bail in. . .  200 

Alexander  M?Auley  on  D? in. . .  200 

John  Boyd on  D?  Bail in. . .  200 

Petrus  Cole  and  Gerrit  Cole  were  again  brought  before 
the  Board  and  examined,  and  they  still  continuing  to  be 
disposed  not  to  give  the  information,  which  from  the 
Evidence  of  James  Noels  it  appears,  they  have  in  their 
power 

Ordered  thereupon  that  they  be  recommitted 

John  Johnson  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined, 
and  he  not  giving  satisfactory  answers  to  such  Questions  as 
were  proposed  to  him  respecting  M'rMullen's  leaving  Goods 
in  his  Care 

Ordered  that  he  be  remanded  to  Prison 

Resolved  That  a  Letter  be  prepared  to  the  Secretary  of 
the  State  requesting  him  to  furnish  this  Board  as  soon  as 
Convenient  with  the  Act  passed  in  the  last  Sessions  of  the 
Legislature  respecting  Persons  of  a  Neutral  and  Equivocal 
Character1 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning 

1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  6*:h  July  1778  — 
Present 

John  M   Beekman  )       {  Matthew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  ronda        )        (. 

Elsie  Primmer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  interrogated  her  respecting  a  Barrel  of  stolen  Effects 

-  The  act  of  June  30,  1778.     See  Appendix  I. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      165 


which  were  buryed  near  her  Father's  under  Oath  [06!  and      J7?8 

.  July  6. 

she  having  returned  satisfactory  Answers  thereto     Ordered 

that  for  the  present  she  be  discharged  — 

Ordered  That  Duncan  Campbell  be  and  he  is  hereby 
absolutely  discharged  from  his  Recognizance  — 

Martin  Galer  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  for 
conveying  Intelligence  to  the  Enemy  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  examined  him  respecting  the 
Charges  alledged  against  him  and  finding  the  Suspicion 
against  him  rather  ill  grounded 

Therefore  Ordered  that  he  said  Martin  Galer  be  dis- 
charged from  his  Confinement  on  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Martin  Galer  on  Recognizance  in. . .  £100 —    — 
John  Manger  his  Bail in ...  £100  —    — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Wednesday  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  8^  July  1778 —        Julys 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Ayr    ,        T7.      , 
-  ^  >       •<  Mathew  Visscner 

Isaac  U.  .Fonda        )        ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  Lansing  JunF  Esqf  request- 
ing the  Enlargement  of  Lawrence  Scherp  and  John  J. 
Vosburgh  on  their  procuring  sufficient  Bail,  and  we  having 
taken  the  Matter  into  our  Consideration  and  finding  that 
the  Crimes  w[h]erewith  they  severally  stand  charged  are 
[97]  °f  sucn  a  Nature  as  that  they  cannot  with  consistency 
be  bailed  therefore  Ordered  that  the  said  Lawrence 
Scherp  and  John  J.  Vosburgh  be  continued  in  their  Con- 
finement — 

William  Showers  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  in 
Goal  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined 


1 66  State  of  New  York 


1778      into   the   Charges   against   him   and    finding   them   rather 
July  8. 

groundless  — 

Ordered  therefore  that  the  said  William  Showers  be 
discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  entering  into  Recog- 
nizance for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

William  Showers  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  —    — 

Johannis  J.  Muller  his  Bail in.  £100 —    — 

Then  Adjourned  till  2  O' Clock  to  Morrow     Afternoon 

1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  9^  July  1778  — 
July  9. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Mathew  visscher 
Isaac  D.  ronda        )        ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  covering  a[n] 
Act  passed  by  the  Legislature  at  their  late  Sitting  entitled 
"an  Act  more  effectually  to  prevent  the  Mischiefs  arising 
from  the  Influence  and  Example  of  Persons  of  Equivocal 
and  suspected  Characters  in  this  State"  and  pointing  out 
the  Mode  of  Proceeding  they  intend  to  pursue  and  recom- 
mending a  similar  One  to  this  Board  —  * 

[98]  James  Farguson  who  was  some  time  since  taken  up 
by  the  City  Guard  and  ordered  in  Close  Confinement  for 
not  having  no  Pass  was  again  examined  and  having  given 
sufficient  proof  of  his  being  a  Deserter  from  the  Enemy  and 
sustaining  a  good  Character  — 

Ordered  That  he  be  Liberated  — 

John  Van  Der  Karr  in  Consequence  of  a  Citation  from  the 
Board  appeared  and  he  having  given  satisfactory  answers  to 
such  Questions  as  were  proposed  to  him  was  permitted  to 
return  to  his  usual  place  of  abode  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  June  30,  1778. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       167 


Met  pursuant  to  adjournment  ioth  July  1778 
Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  A/r     ,       ,7.      , 
•i         _    _  \       \  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  .Fonda        j        ( 

Wrote  Letters  to  Cornelius  Humfrey,  Hugh  Mitchell,  and 
Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT  requesting  their  Attendance  at  this 
Board  next  Tuesday  Morning  as  the  Board  then  intend  to 
proceed  upon  the  Act  respecting  Persons  of  equivocal  and 
suspected  Characters 

Col?  Elisha  Porter  appeared  before  the  Board  with 
Zadock  Wright  heretofore  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  under  the 
King  of  Great  Britain  and  an  Inhabitant  of  Hartford  near 
Connecticut  River  in  this  State  who  went  over  to  [99]  the 
Enemy  last  July  and  was  under  them  constituted  a  Major 
as  he  pretends  and  who  was  lately  taken  and  brought  to 
Northampton!  Goal  and  was  by  the  Council  of  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  sent  to  us 

Ordered  that  the  said  Zadock  Wright  be  closely  confined, 
and  that  John  M.  Beekman  EsqT  pay  to  the  said  Col?  Elisha 
Porter  for  his  Wages  and  Expence  in  bringing  from  North- 
ampton to  this  Place  the  said  Zadock  Wright  the  sum  of 
thirty  six  Pounds  as  ^  Account  — 

Frederick  Wormer  in  Consequence  of  a  former  Order 
was  brought  before  the  Board,  and  Ordered  to  be  closely 
confined  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  IIth  July  1778  —  Tuiy7?i. 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )       j  Mat£hew  ^^ 
Isaac  D.  Fonda        ) 


1 68  State  of  New  York 


1778  Hendrick  Hooghteeling  was  again  brought  before  the 
Board  and  examined  respecting  Thomas  Garnet  and  others 
and  also  respecting  the  Goods  by  them  stolen  at  Freehold, 
and  it  appearing  therefrom  that  Peter  Stoner  can  give  a  more 
a  satisfactory  account  thereof — 

Ordered  That  Daniel  G.  Van  Antwerp  his  Bail  be  directed 
fort[h]with  to  deliver  up  the  said  Peter  Stoner  — 

Christopher  Tipper  in  Consequence  of  a  [100]  former 
Citation  appeared  and  was  examined  and  nothing  mate- 
rial in  his  examination  appearing  Ordered  That  he  be 
Liberated 

Johannis  George  Hindsauce  and  Johannis  George  Timbel 
were  in  Consequence  of  a  former  Order  of  this  Board  brought 
before  them  and  upon  examination 

Ordered  to  be  committed  till  further  orders  — 

Johannis  Frederick  Hendel  and  Paul  Drew  were  also 
brought  before  the  Board  and  after  examination  Ordered 
to  be  Committed  till  farther  orders 

Adjourned  till  Tuesday  next — 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  adjournment  14th  July  1778 

Present  — 

John  M  Beeckman   ^  ,  TT     ,   A ,.    ,    „ 

T         T^  T-      i  (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Isaac  D  ronda  >•  1  i\/r     u       w      u 

(  (  Matthew  Visscher 
Jer.  Van  Rensselaer ; 

Johannis  George  Timbel  a  Hessian  Deserter  from  the 
British  Army  who  was  lately  confined  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  again  examined  him  and  rinding 
the  Charges  against  him  unsupported 

Ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  in  this  County 

Cap*  Ryley  brought  before  this  Board  a  certain  Philip 

Shaver  who  from  his  examination  appears  to  have  been 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      169 


with  the  Enemy  —  Ordered  thereupon  that  he  be  closely    _  *7 
confined  till  farther  orders 

[101]  Daniel  Campbell,  James  Ellice,  and  John  Visger 
were  severally  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on  the 
sixteenth  Instant  at  10  OClock  in  the  Forenoon  of  that  Day  to 
render  Satisfaction  to  us  touching  their  Conduct  during 
this  War  conformable  to  the  Act  lately  passed  respecting 
Persons  of  Neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  — 

William  Bowen  who  was  some  Time  since  apprehended 
was  liberated  upon  his  entering  into  Bond  with  a  sufficient 
Surety  in  the  sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds  for  his  Appear- 
ance when  called  for  and  Not  to  exceed  the  Limits  of  the 
Township  of  Schonectady  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  Albany  15^  July  1778  —          1778 
Present 

John  M   Beeckman          ) 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  ) 

Mf  Benjamin  Colvin  Junf  appeared  before  the  Board  in 
Behalf  of  a  Number  of  Persons  who  were  sent  Down  to  this 
Place  from  Bennington  under  the  pretended  Authority  of 
the  State  of  Vermont  in  Order  to  be  sent  to  the  Commander 
in  Chief  of  this  Department  to  be  by  him  sent  to  the  Enemies 
Lines 

Ordered  that  Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  and  John  M. 
Beekman  wait  upon  General  Starkes  in  Order  to  enquire 
of  him  the  Nature  of  the  several  Offences  those  Persons 
stand  charged  with  —  They  Report  that  upon  Application 
to  general  Starkes  to  the  above  Enquiry  he  [102]  the  said 
General  informed  them  that  he  conceived  that  the  Commis- 
sioners could  not  take  Cognizance  of  their  Crimes  the 
Delinquents  being  judged  by  the  Court  of  Vermont  as 


1 70  State  of  New  York 

TuSy7is  Dangerous  Persons  to  the  Wellfare  of  their  State  &  there- 
fore ordered  them  to  be  sent  to  Albany  that  he  might  forward 
them  to  General  Gates  to  be  by  him  sent  to  the  Enemies 
Lines  with  which  Request  from  the  State  of  Vermont  he 
conceived  it  was  just  to  comply  and  would  order  the  same 
to  be  put  into  Execution  — 

Peter  Finehout  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  in 
Goal  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined 
into  the  Nature  of  his  Crime,  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate 
him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Appearance  when  called  upon  — 

Peter  Finehout  on  Recognizance  in..  £100 

Jacob  Finehout  his  Bail in. .  £100 

Reuben  Grippen  of  Kinderhook  also 

his  Bail in . .  £100 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  informing  him  that  in  Consequence  of  the  Appli- 
cation made  by  the  Person  above  mentioned  in  Behalf  of 
those  Persons  sent  from  Bennington  we  waited  on  General 
Starkes  who  informed  us  that  it  was  none  of  our  Business  to 
interfere  with  Tories  from  another  State  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following  (prout)1 

Richard  Cartwright,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  John  Van  Alen, 
and  Henry  Staats  and  Gysbert  G.  Marselis  were  cited  to 
appear  before  this  Board  on  the  Sixteenth  Instant  at  ten 
OClock  in  the  Forenoon  of  that  Day  to  render  Satisfaction 
[103]  to  us  touching  their  Conduct  during  this  War  con- 
formable to  the  Act  lately  passed  respecting  Persons  of  neutral 
and  equivocal  Characters  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1584,  archives  of  the  New  York  State 
Library. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       171 


Met  pursuant  to  adjournment  —  16  July  1778 
Present  — 

John  M.  Beeckman  }  .  TJ     u  AT-    u  n 

Jr      T_      ._  f  Hugh  Mitchell 

er.  Van  Rensselaer  V  ITV/TI        \r      i 
->         TV    T^      i           (  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  U.  ronda.         ; 

In  pursuance  of  the  order  of  Yesterday  Richard  Cart- 
wright  appeared  before  the  Board  and  was  agreeable  to 
the  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State  Tendered  the  Oath 
therein  mentioned  which  he  refused  taking 

John  Van  Alen,  Gysbert  G.  Marselius,  and  Henry  Staats 
in  Pursuance  of  an  Order  of  Yesterday  also  appeared  before 
the  Board  and  were  agreeable  to  the  Act  of  the  Legislature 
of  this  State  tendered  the  Oath  therein  recited,  and  they 
having  requested  to  consider  till  next  Monday  Morning 

Ordered  that  Time  be  given  them  till  then  and  if  they 
do  not  appear,  that  their  Non  Attendance  will  be  construed 
into  a  Refusal  — 

Duncan  M'rDugall  of  Schohary  who  was  some  Time  since 
confined  for  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  was  brought 
before  the  Board,  and  it  appearing  from  a  Recommendation 
of  a  Number  of  respectable  Inhabitants  of  Tryon  County 
that  he  had  always  behaved  himself  well,  and  it  also  appear- 
ing from  a  Certificate  of  Coll  Harpur  that  he  had  last  Year 
kept  back  a  Party  [104]  of  Indians  who  were  coming  to  make 
him  Prisoner  we  are  induced  by  those  Considerations  to 
eliberate  him  on  his  taking  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act 
lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  of  this  State  and  entering 
into  a  Recognizance  not  to  exceed  the  Limits  and  Bounds  of 
the  Farm  of  his  Brother  Donald  MjDugall  at  Canajohary 
in  Tryon  County 

Henry  Van  Schaack,  Peter  Van  Schaack,  Peter  Vosburgh, 
Lowrence  Goes,  Harmen  Pruyn,  John  Thurman  and  William 


172  State  of  New  York 


T  17?86  ^ea  were  severa^7  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on  the 
Eighteenth  Instant  to  render  Satisfaction  to  us  touching  their 
Conduct  during  this  War  conformable  to  an  Act  of  the  Leg- 
islature lately  passed  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and 
equivocal  Characters  — 

James  Ellice  appeared  before  the  Board  according  to  the 
Citation  served  on  him  and  the  Oath  as  prescribed  in  the 
Act  being  tendered  him  he  refused  to  take  it  — 

Ordered  that  the  said  James  Ellice  hold  himself  in  Readi- 
ness to  go  off  in  Eight  Days  — 

Frederick  Crans  appeared  before  the  Board  and  made 
Application  to  have  Johannis  Hendersans  released  Or- 
dered that  he  be  liberated  on  his  engaging  to  behave  himself 
in  a  becoming  Manner  — 

Frederick  Bremerman  a  Hessian  Deserter  from  the 
British  Army  appeared  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  him  and  finding  nothing  special  against  him  have 
thought  to  let  him  go  at  large  in  this  County  — 

Dirck  Heemstraet  was  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on 
Saturday  next  at  One  of  the  Clock  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778          [105]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment 

Albany   if1?    July  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman          }         ,  A,    ,        \r      \, 
J  I         (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  >        •<  r>  fc       \\r     i          T     r 
^  (  retrus  Wynkoop    unr 

Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Daniel  Campbell,  and  John  Visger  of  Schonectady  app<? 
according  to  Citation  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  pointed 
out  by  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  they  both 
refused  to  take  it 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       173 


Gysbert  Fonda,  and  Rutger  Bleecker  were  cited  to  appear      J778 
before  this  Board  at  three  OClock  this  Afternoon  to  render 
Satisfaction  to  us  touching  their  Conduct  during  this  War 
conformable  to  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  lately  passed  respect- 
ing Persons  of  neutral  &  equivocal  Characters 

Wouter  Moll  of  Kinderhook  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  made  Application  to  have  Gerrit  Cole  released  from  his 
Confinement  and  we  having  taken  his  Requisition  into  our 
Consideration  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Gerrit  Cole  be 
discharged  on  the  said  Wouter  Moll's  entering  into  Recog- 
nizance to  deliver  up  the  said  Gerrit  Cole  when  called  for  — 

Wouter  Moll  on  Recognizance  in    £50-0-0 

Gysbert  Fonda  and  Rutger  Bleecker  appeared  according 
to  the  Citations  served  on  them  and  being  tendered  the  Oath 
prescribed  by  the  Act  they  both  requested  Time  to  consider 
of  it  till  next  Monday  Morning  at  ten  OClock  which  was 
granted  them 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

[106!  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment —  1778 

AH  ofh   T  i  o  July  l8« 

Albany  18^  July  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman          }         ,  Ayr    u       \r      \. 
•;         .  f         (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  >•       •<  „          \\t     \         T     r 
J  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun. 

Isaac  D.  Fonda  ) 

Ordered  that  Daniel  Campbell,  James  Ellice  and  John 
Visger  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  by  next  Wednesday  to 
be  removed  within  the  Enemies  Lines  agreeable  to  the  Act 
lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  and  that  they  be  served  with 
a  Copy  of  this  Resolution  — 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 


1 74  State  of  New  York 


T  R  °^  two  Reams  °f  Paper  purchased  by  him  amounting  to 
£2Oaoao  ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  to  the  said  Jeremiah 
Van  Renselaer  the  said  £20  — 

Isaac  D.  Fonda  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Cor- 
nelius Van  Deusen  for  going  as  an  Express  to  Coyemans  for 
Mathias  Boom  amounting  to  i6/  Ordered  that  the  Treas- 
urer pay  the  same1 

In  Consequence  of  a  Letter  received  from  the  Commis- 
sioners at  Poughkeepsie  respecting  the  Rangers  Ordered 
that  the  said  Company  of  Rangers  be  discharged  and  that 
Captain  John  Ryley  be  served  with  a  Copy  of  this 
Resolution  — 

Benjamin  Morrison  was  apprehended  as  a  Suspicious 
Person  and  we  having  examined  him  and  finding  from  a 
Paper  in  his  Possession  that  he  holds  a  Correspondence  with 
the  Enemy,  and  that  he  in  the  State  [107]  of  Connecticut 
has  always  borne  the  Character  of  a  disaffected  Character 
Ordered  that  he  be  closely  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take  him  into  his  Custody  — 

Peter  Van  Schaack  and  John  Thurman  appeared  before 
the  Board  according  to  the  Citation  served  on  them  and 
being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  they  both 
refused  — 

Peter  Vosburgh,  Lowrence  Goes  William  Rea  and  Harman 
Pruyn  also  appeared  before  the  Board  and  were  tendered  the 
Oath  which  they  requested  Time  to  consider  of  till  next 
Tuesday  Morning  which  was  granted  them  and  Ordered  that 
their  Non  Attendance  at  that  Time  be  construed  into  a 
Refusal  to  take  the  Oath  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  —  Monday  Morning  — 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  164, 
State  Comptroller's  office.  It  is  for  the  arrest  of  "  Matthyse  Bondt  ",  and 
is  signed  "  Cornells  Vandeuse." 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      175 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  20^  Tuly  1778 —      *778 

July  20. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j         (  Mathew  Visscher 

John  Van  Alen  and  Henry  Staats  appeared  and  being  ten- 
dered the  Oath  they  both  refused  to  take  it 

Gysbert  G.  Marselis  also  appeared  and  being  tendered  the 
Oath  he  refused  to  take  it 

Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne  was  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  to  render  Satisfaction  to  us  touching  his  Conduct 
during  the  present  War  conformable  to  an  Act  of  the  Legis- 
lature lately  passed  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and 
equivocal  Characters  at  2  OClock  this  Afternoon  — 

[108]  Ordered  that  Captain  John  Ryley  immediately 
appear  before  this  Board,  and  bring  with  him  Egbert 
Ostrander  and  his  Wife  — 

Ordered  that  a  Certificate  be  sent  down  to  John  Morin 
Scott  Esqf  Secretary  of  the  State  of  New  York  certifying  that 
James  Ellice  of  Schonectady  Merchant  on  the  sixteenth  Day 
of  July  Instant  Daniel  Campbell  EsqF  late  Judge  of  the 
Inferior  Court  and  John  Visger  late  Justice  of  the  Peace  of 
Schonectady  on  the  Seventeenth,  John  Thurman  late  Mer- 
chant of  New  York  Peter  Van  Schaack  Attorney  at  Law  on 
the  Eighteenth  and  John  Van  Alen  late  Justice  of  the  Peace 
Henry  Staats  Merchant  and  Gysbert  G.  Marselis  late  Alder- 
man of  the  City  of  Albany  on  the  Twentieth  did  appear  be- 
fore us  and  that  the  Oath  as  prescribed  in  the  Act  was  ten- 
dered to  them  which  they  refused  to  take 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  the  Gov- 
ernor informing  him  of  the  Names  of  the  Persons  who  have 
refused  to  take  the  Oath  and  requesting  to  know  when  we  must 
send  them  and  who  he  purposes  to  detain  for  an  Exchange  — 


1 76  State  of  New  York 

1778  Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne  appeared  according  to  Citation 
and  being  tendered  the  Oath  by  the  Act  prescribed  he  re- 
quested Time  till  next  Wednesday  to  consider  of  it  which 
was  granted  him  — 

Ordered  that  Daniel  Campbell,  John  Visger,  John  Van 
Alen,  Gysbert  G.  Marselius  John  Thurman,  Peter  Van 
Schaack  and  Henry  Staats  prepare  &  hold  themselves  in 
Readiness  to  be  removed  into  the  Enemies  Lines  by  next  [109] 
Saturday  and  that  the  Secretary  cause  the  said  Notice  to  be 
served  on  each  of  the  foregoing  Persons  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie  informing  them  that  a  Number  of  Persons  who 
we  have  cited  before  us  agreeable  to  the  Act  respecting  Per- 
sons of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  pretend  that  they 
do  not  come  under  the  Act  as  they  have  taken  an  Oath  some 
Time  ago  which  they  say  exempts  them  from  complying  with 
the  Act  and  requesting  their  Opinion  on  the  Subject 

Cap*  John  Ryley  appeared  before  the  Board  and  was  dis- 
charged with  the  Company  under  his  Command  from 
further  Service  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  21**  July  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman          )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Matthew  Visscher 

Richard  Cartwright  having  been  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  and  refusing  to  take  the  Oath  tendered  him  agreeable 
to  the  Act  Ordered  that  he  prepare  and  hold  himself  in 
Readiness  to  be  removed  into  the  Enemies  Lines  on  Saturday 
next  and  at  any  Time  thereafter  on  the  shortest  Notice  — 

Ordered  that  John  Johnson  the  Widow  Johnson  and  her 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       177 


Daughter  be  Liberated  from  Confinement  nothing  specially 

u   •  j     •     u 

having  appeared  against  them 

[no]  Ordered  that  Mr  Barent  Van  Der  Pool,  Andries 
Huyck  and  Walter  Carpenter  of  Schodack  be  cited  to  appear 
before  this  Board  to  give  Satisfaction  to  us  touching  their 
Conduct  during  the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature  lately  passed  respecting  Persons  of  Neutral  and 
equivocal  Characters 

Albert  Van  Der  Zee  and  Philip  Spawn  of  Niscutaw  and 
Benjamin  Baker  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  were  also 
cited  to  appear  agreeable  to  the  Act  lately  passed  —  N  B. 
these  Citations  were  not  served  — 

Peter  Vosburgh,  Lowrence  Goes,  William  Rea  and  Harmen 
Pruyn,  who  were  given  Time  to  this  Day  to  appear  and  take 
the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act,  not  appearing  Ordered 
that  they  hold  themselves  in  Readiness  to  be  removed  into 
the  Enemies  Lines  by  Saturday  next 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Thursday  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  23*?  July  1778  1778 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  \        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  V      -<  Hugh  Mitchell 

John   M.   Beeckman       )         (.  Peter  Cantine  Junr 1 

Barent  Van  Der  Pool  and  Andries  Huyck  appeared  before 
the  Board  according  to  the  Citations  served  on  them  and  they 
being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  lately  passed 
by  the  Legislature  absolutely  refused  to  take  it  — 

Benjamin  Baker  also  appeared  before  the  Board  according 
to  Citation  and  the  Oath  by  the  Act  prescribed  he  refused  to 
take  it  and  declared  that  if  he  did  he  would  perjure  himself 

1  Cantine  was  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the  Poughkeepsie  board. 


178  State  of  New  York 


and  that  none  but  Rogues  and  Fools  would  [ml  or  could 
July  23. 

take  it  —  Thereupon  resolved  that  such  Declaration  is  a 
high  Contempt  and  Insult  upon  the  Authority  of  this  State  in 
General  and  this  Board  in  particular  and  that  therefore  in 
the  Judgment  of  this  Board  it  is  inconsistent  with  the  Safety 
that1  the  said  State  that  the  said  Benjamin  Baker  should  be 
permitted  to  go  at  large  Therefore  ordered  that  he  be  com- 
mitted to  the  Goal  of  this  Place  until  further  Order  of  this 
Board  — 

John  Stevenson,  Henry  Van  Dyck,  Cornelius  Glen,  Henry 
Ten  Eyck  and  James  Dole  were  severally  cited  to  appear 
before  this  Board  to  give  Satisfaction  touching  their  Conduct 
during  the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act  lately  passed 
respecting  Persons  of  neutral  &  equivocal  Characters  — 

Henry  Van  Dyck,  Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck  and 
James  Dole  appeared  before  the  Board  and  being  tendered 
the  Oath  by  the  Act  prescribed  they  unanimously  refused  to 
take  it  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor  dated 
the  15!^  Instant  which  is  in  the  following  Words  to  wit 
(prout)2 

Michael  W.  Frazer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
was  charged  with  using  Expressions  inimical  to  the  American 
Cause  Ordered  that  he  be  bound  in  Recognizance  to  appear 
when  called  and  for  his  future  good  Behaviour 

Michael  W.  Frazer  on  Recognizance  in .  .   £40-0-0 

John  Glen,  John  Duncan,  and  Robert  Clench  were  cited 
to  appear  before  this  Board  to  give  Satisfaction  to  us  touching 
their  Conduct  during  the  present  War  [112]  agreeable  to  an 

1  Mistake  for  "  of  ". 

'Evidently,  this  entry  should  bear  the  date  of  July  21,  when  Clinton 
answered  their  letter  of  the  i5th.  Both  of  them  are  in  the  George  Clinton 
Papers,  nos.  1584,  1599,  in  archives  of  the  New  York  State  Library. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      179 


Act  of  the  Legislature  lately  passed  respecting  Persons  of 
neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  on  the  25^  Day  of  July 
Instant  at  10  OClock  in  the  Forenoon  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  24^  July  1778  —   T  *7I78 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

William  Harpur  appeared  before  the  Board  and  entered 
a  Complaint  against  Peter  Fitzpatrick  and  John  Waters  as 
Persons  whose  going  at  large  may  prove  of  dangerous  Con- 
sequence to  the  Safety  of  the  State  — 

Ordered  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  to  apprehend  and 
commit  to  Goal  the  said  Peter  Fitzpatrick  and  John  Waters 

John  Waters  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  he  being 
examined  in  Mr  Harpurs  Presence  and  we  judging  from  his 
Examination  that  he  might  be  permitted  to  remain  in  this 
City  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance 

Ordered  that  the  said  John  Waters  be  eliberated  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  not  to  depart  the  Limits  of  this 
City  and  appear  when  called  upon  by  us 

John  Waters  on  Recognizance  in £100  —    — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter1  be  wrote  to  the  Governor  informing 
him  of  the  Arrival  of  seven  Persons  in  this  City  who  are  sent 
down  by  the  pretended  State  of  Vermont  to  be  forwarded  to 
the  Enemies  Lines  by  General  Stark  and  that  from  the  first 
Reception  we  met  from  General  Stark  we  think  it  needless 
[113]  to  remonstrate  with  him  any  farther  about  the  Matter 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1606,  archives  of  the  New  York  State  Library. 


i8o  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  25^  July  1778  — 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  T          ^    ^      , 
T  i      •*«•    n    i  c       i  Isaac  D.  ronda 

John  M.  Joeekman  j         ( 

John  Glen,  and  Robert  Clench  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  lately 
passed  by  the  Legislature  respecting  Persons  of  neutral 
and  equivocal  Characters  which  they  requested  Time  to 
consider  of 

Ordered  that  they  have  Time  till  next  Wednesday  &  that 
their  Non  Attendance  at  that  Time  will  be  construed  into 
a  Refusal  — 

John  Duncan  who  was  cited  this  Day  to  appear  informed 
the  Board  by  Letter  that  he  was  so  indisposed  as  to  be  unable 
to  attend  as  directed  by  Citation  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning 


Tul7727    ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  27^  July  1778  — 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  ]        f  T         ^  ^      , 
T  i      **    n     i  f       i  Isaac  D.ronda. 

John  M.  Beekman  j        ( 

Absolom  Woodward  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
to  render  Satisfaction  touching  his  Conduct  during  the 
present  War  agreeable  to  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  lately 
passed  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Charac- 
ters immediately  — 

Absolom  Woodward  appeared  according  to  Citation  and 
being  tendered  the  Oath  as  by  the  Act  prescribed  he  re- 
quested Time  to  consider  of  it  till  next  Wednesday  which  was 
granted  him  — 

[114]     John  Witbeck,   and  Volckert  Van  Veghten  were 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      181 


cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to  render  Satisfaction  J7 
touching  their  Conduct  during  the  present  War  agreeable  to 
the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  —  to  Morrow 
Morning  at  10  of  the  Clock  — 

Marte  Van  Buren  and  George  Falensby  were  cited  to 
appear  next  Wednesday  for  the  purpose  of  giving  to  the 
Board  Satisfaction  touching  their  Conduct  during  the  present 
War  agreeable  to  the  Act — 

Whereas  the  Complaints  of  the  frequent  Robberies  com- 
mitted on  the  East  Side  of  the  River  are  become  intolerable 
and  by  the  Representation  of  Col?  Henry  Van  Renselaer  & 
several  others,  it  is  probable  that  some  of  the  Ringleaders 
may  be  apprehended  therefore  it  is  the  Opinion  of  this  Board 
That  Cap*  Jacob  De  Forest  be  requested  to  collect  as  many 
of  the  Militia  as  he  can  speedily  procure  of  Coli  Schuyler's 
and  Col?  Renselaer's  Regiments  not  exceeding  50  to  go  in 
Quest  of  the  Perpetrators  of  those  Crimes  and  apprehend  and 
safely  convey  them  to  us  and  during  his  Rout  the  said  Cap*. 
De  Forest  is  hereby  authorized  to  examin  in  every  suspected 
House  for  Papers  &  stolen  Goods  and  thereof  make  true 
Return  to  us  —  the  Cap?  is  ordered  not  to  suffer  any  Outrages 
to  be  committed  on  any  of  the  Good  Subjects  of  this  State,  he 
is  also  requested  to  apprehend  all  Strangers  who  have  not 
sufficient  Authority  to  be  at  large  in  the  Compass  of  the  Rout 
he  may  take,  he  is  also  to  bring  with  him  Egbert  Ostrander 
and  his  Wife  and  for  his  so  doing  this  shall  be  his  suf- 
ficient Authority  Given  under  our  Hands  the  Day  above 
written  — 

David  Van  Schaack,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Derick  Gar- 
dinier,  John  D.  Goes,  Mathew  Goes  Junf  &  Lambert  Bur- 
gart  [115]  all  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook,  Peter  W.  Yates  of 
Kats  Kill,  Dirk  Delamater  of  Claverack,  and  Richard 
Minifee  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  were  cited  to  appear 


1 82  State  of  New  York 

Before  the  Board  to  render  Satisfaction  respecting  their  Con- 
duct during  the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act  lately 
passed  by  the  Legislature  —  they  were  ordered  to  appear  on 
the  30^  Day  of  July  Instant 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

July728.    Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  28^  July  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  j  (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  >  •<  Egbert  Benson1 
Mathew  Visscher  )  ( Hugh  Mitchell 

John  Witbeck,  and  Volckert  Van  Veghten  appeared  be- 
fore the  Board  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by 
the  Act  they  both  refused  to  take  it  — 

Philip  Swawn,  Albert  Van  Der  Zee,  Gerrit  Van  Sante, 
Jacob  Ball,  William  Monk,  Hendrick  Appley,  Andries  Ten 
Eyck,  Jacob  Legrange  and  Jellis  Legrange  were  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Board  on  the  Thirteenth  Day  of  July 
Instant  to  render  Satisfaction  touching  their  Conduct  during 
the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the 
Legislature  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal 
Characters  — 

William  Monk  one  of  the  Persons  above  named  who  was 
cited  to  appear  next  Thursday,  being  in  Town  he  was  warned 
to  appear  before  us  immediately  and  on  his  Appearance  he 
was  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  which  he  re- 
quested Time  to  consider  of  Ordered  that  he  have  Time 
till  next  Thursday  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1  Benson  was  a  commissioner  of  the  Poughkeepsie  board. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       183 


[116]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  29^  July  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman         "1  f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  I  J  Egbert  Benson 

Hugh   Mitchell  (  j  Mathew  Visscher 

Cornelius  Humfrey  (^  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junr 

John  Henry  Lake  a  Hessian  Deserter  from  the  British 
Army  appeared  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  that  he  had 
during  his  Residence  heretofore  behaved  himself  in  a  becom- 
ing Manner  ordered  that  he  have  Leave  to  go  at  large  in  this 
County 

Marte  Van  Buren  appeared  according  to  Citation  and  being 
tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  he  refused  to  take  it 

Ordered  that  he  prepare  and  hold  himself  in  Readiness  to 
be  removed  into  the  Enemies  Lines  on  the  shortest  Notice  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  of  Charlotte 
County  informing  that  they  sent  to  us  under  Guard  William 
Moffat  who  was  last  Summer  with  the  Enemy  and  whose  re- 
maining there  may  prove  dangerous  to  the  Safety  of  the  State 
Ordered  that  he  enter  into  Recognizance  to  remain  in  this 
City  and  to  behave  himself  in  a  becoming  Manner  — 

William  Moffat  on  Recognizance  in     .  .  .   £100  —    — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col!  Peter  Vrooman  informing 
that  he  sent  to  us  under  Guard  John  Howard  who  was  appre- 
hended somewhere  to  the  Westward  that  he  looks  upon  him 
as  a  very  suspicious  Character  and  therefore  requests  that 
he  may  be  closely  confined  Ordered  that  the  said  John 
Howard  be  taken  into  Custody  and  that  the  Goaler  be  re- 
quested to  receive  him  — 

[117]     Leonard  Gansevoort  Junf  Secretary  to  this  Board 


1  84  State  of  New  York 

J778  presented  an  Account  of  sundry  Articles  purchased  for  the 
Use  of  the  Board  amounting  to  £16^1^4  Ordered  that  the 
Treasurer  pay  the  same  and  take  a  Receipt  —  * 

A  Petition  was  presented  to  the  Board  from  Gysbert  G. 
Marselis,  Daniel  Campbell  and  others  reciting  that  by 
Reason  of  the  late  Orders  of  this  Board  for  their  Removal 
they  are  under  the  greatest  Anxiety  and  requesting  a  Tem- 
porary Suspicion2  of  Proceedings  against  them  until  they  can 
make  Application  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  for  his 
Permission  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an  Exemption  from 
the  Penalties  of  the  Act  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  above  Gentlemen 
informing  that  their  Requisition  cannot  be  complied  [with] 
(which  Letter  is  in  the  following  Words  (prout)  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


July73o         Met  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  30^  July  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  .  A/r    ,       w.      , 

J  (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  I        J  ,         D  F     d 

Cornelius  Humfrey  )  n          ^T     ,          T 

TT  J  (  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junr 

Hugh  Mitchell  J 

Ordered  that  a  Letter3  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  inclosing  Copy  of  Henry  Cuyler's  Parole  &  re- 
questing to  have  him  removed,  and  also  requesting  that  those 
Women  whose  Husbands  are  with  the  Enemy  may  be  sent  to 
the  Enemies  Lines  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
(prout) 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.   160, 
State  Comptroller's  office.     See  also  bill  of  James  Caldwell  for  writing  paper, 
included  in  Gansevoort's  statement,  in  ibid,  p.  160. 

2  Should  be  "  Suspension." 

»  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1618,  dated  July  29,  1778,  in  archives  of 
the  New  York  State  Library. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      185 


Fii8]     A  Paper  was  laid  before  the  Board  under  the  Sie- 

.  uy  3». 

nature  of  John  Patan  and  others  setting  forth  that  a  Petition 

was  carrying  round  in  their  Neighbourhood  for  the  Liberation 
of  one  Simon  Frazer  and  declaring  their  Uneasiness  thereat 
and  entering  into  a  Combination  to  lessen  the  Number  of  the 
disaffected  by  sending  them  Orders  to  move  off  &  threatning 
them  to  Abide  by  the  Consequence  in  Case  of  Neglect  — 

The  Board  took  the  same  into  Consideration  and  thereupon 
are  of  Opinion  that  such  Declarations  are  unwarrantable  and 
tend  to  sap  the  Foundation  of  all  Law  and  good  Government 

Resolved  that  the  said  Patan  and  others  be  informed  that 
this  Board  will  receive  into  their  Custody  &  Charge  all  such 
disaffected  Persons  who  upon  Proof  can  be  convicted  of  any 
Crimes  against  the  Liberties  of  America  and  that  if  they  send 
any  Persons  to  the  Care  of  this  Board  that  they  send  with 
them  the  Charges  against  them  properly  attested 

It  having  been  suggested  to  us  that  Jacobus  Williamson, 
William  Moore,  and  Daniel  Halenbeck  of  Maple  Town  Mat- 
hew  Howard  and  James  Blackley  of  Pits  Town  and  Philip 
Ember  of  Pownal  are  Material  Witnesses  against  Simon 
Frazer  Ordered  that  Jacob  Coons  of  the  District  of  Hosack 
Constable  be  ordered  to  summon  the  above  Persons  to  appear 
before  the  Grand  Jury  on  the  thirty  first  Day  of  July  Instant 
to  give  their  Testimony  against  the  said  Simon  Frazer  — 

Albert  Van  Der  Zee,  William  Monk,  and  Hendrick  Appley 
who  were  cited  to  appear  this  Day  appeared  according  to  the 
Citation  and  it  being  suggested  to  us  that  they  have  last  [119] 
Summer  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  before  the  Committee 
of  the  District  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  ordered 
thereupon  that  they  be  discharged  — 

Walter  Carpenter  and  George  Falensby  were  also  cited  to 
appear  and  it  also  appearing  that  they  had  taken  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  they  were  discharged  — 


1 86  State  of  New  York 

July7™  William  McCullock  who  was  confined  in  Goal  for  Dis- 
affection to  the  American  Cause  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  we  having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence 
have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him  on  his  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 
when  called  upon  — 

William  McCullock  on  Recognizance 

in £40  —  o  - 

Egbert  Ostrander  who  was  apprehended  on  Suspicion  of 
being  concerned  in  or  privy  to  a  Robbery  some  time  since 
committed  was  brought  before  the  Board,  and  we  having  ex- 
amined the  Proofs  alledged  against  him  Ordered  that  he  be 
committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to 
take  him  into  his  Custody 

Philip  Spawn  who  was  cited  to  appear  according  to  the 
Act  lately  passed  respecting  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters 
appearing,  and  he  making  it  appear  that  he  had  already  taken 
an  Oath  of  Allegiance  was  discharged  — 

Dirk  Delamater  who  was  cited  to  appear  this  Day  appeared 
and  he  informing  us  that  he  had  heretofore  taken  an  Oath  of 
Allegiance  Ordered  that  he  procure  thereof  a  Certificate 
and  deliver  the  same  in  to  this  Board 

Richard  Minifee  appearing  according  to  Citation  and  being 
tendered  the  Oath  by  the  Act  prescribed  he  refused  to  take  it 

[120]  Dirk  Gardinier,  Mathew  Goes  Jun%  &  John  D. 
Goes  appeared  before  the  Board  according  to  the  Citations 
served  on  them  and  they  being  tendered  the  Oath  by  the  Act 
prescribed  they  requested  Time  to  consider  of  the  same  which 
was  granted  them  till  next  Tuesday  and  that  their  Non- 
Appearance  at  that  Time  will  be  construed  into  a  Refusal 
which  they  agreed  to  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      187 
Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  31*?  July  1778 — 

Jlilj 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman          ^ 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  [         (  Cornelius  Humfrey 
Hugh  Mitchell  |  Petrus  Wynkoop  ]unr. 

Isaac  D:  Fonda 

Col!  Humfrey  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Services 
performed  by  Lieutenant  Jonathan  Chapman  with  a  Party 
of  Militia  under  his  Command  amounting  to  £14^0^8 
Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  same  — 

Col!  Humfrey  also  laid  before  the  Board  another  Account 
amounting  to  £6^0  for  his  victualling  the  above  Party 
Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  same  — 

John  Showers  who  was  confined  in  Goal  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined  him  do  resolve 
that  he  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  his  entering  into 
Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  — 

John  Showers  on  Recognizance  in £40  —    — 

William  Showers  his  Bail in £40  —    — 

Jellis  Legrange  appeared  before  the  Board  according  to 
the  Citation  served  on  him  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  he  requested  Time  to  consider  of  it  [121] 
till  next  Tuesday  which  was  granted  them  [sic]  — 

Peter  Drummond  who  was  last  Fall  confined  for  being  with 
the  Enemy  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  he  requesting 
to  be  eliberated  Ordered  that  this  Requisition  be  complied 
with  on  his  entering  into  Bond  with  a  sufficient  Surety  until 
his  Exchange  can  be  procured  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


1  88  State  of  New  York 


]y[et  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  if  August  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  N. 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  I         (  Cornelius  Humfrey 
Hugh  Mitchell  f       {  Matthew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda  J 

Christopher  Hawk  Constable  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook 
presented  to  the  Board  an  Account  for  apprehending  and 
bringing  to  Goal  Hendrick  Yager  which  amounts  to  i6/ 
Ordered  that  the  Treasurer  pay  the  same1 

Gysbert  Fonda  who  was  heretofore  cited  to  appear  before 
this  Board  appeared  and  the  Oath  being  tendered  him  he 
refused  to  take  it 

John  Stevenson  and  Absolom  Woodward  who  were  here- 
tofore cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  appeared  and  the 
Oath  being  tendered  them  they  refused  to  take  it  — 

Cornelius  Van  Schelluyne  who  had  Time  allowed  him  to 
this  Day  to  consider  of  the  Oath  tendered  to  him  at  the  Time 
when  he  appeared  according  to  the  Citation  served  on  him 
appeared  again  this  Day  and  being  again  tendered  the  Oath 
as  by  the  Act  prescribed  he  declared  his  willingness  to  take  it 
&  it  was  accordingly  administred  to  him 

[122]  John  M'rCrea  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
us  that  the  Court  was  willing  to  eliberate  his  Brother  William 
M'iCrea  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  with  sufficient 
Surety  provided  we  would  withdraw  our  Mittimus  Ordered 
that  the  said  Mittimus  be  withdrawn,  and  it  is  withdrawn 

Charles  M'rKinstrey  appeared  before  the  Board  and  made 
Application  to  have  Benjamin  Morrison  eliberated  Or- 
dered that  the  said  Benjamin  Morrison  be  eliberated  on  the 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163, 
State  Comptroller's  office,  and  is  signed  "  Christo  Haak." 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      189 

said  Charles  McKinstrey's  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to    A1778 
deliver  him  into  the  Hands  of  Ezekiel  Williams  high  Sheriff 
of  the  County  of  Hartford  — 

Charles  M'rKinstrey  on  Recognizance 

in £300  —    — 

John  Glen,  Rutger  Bleecker,  and  Robert  Clench  appeared 
before  the  Board,  this  Day  being  allowed  them  to  give  a 
final  Answer  whether  they  would  take  the  Oath  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  or  not  and  they  declaring  their  Willing- 
ness to  take  it  —  it  was  accordingly  administred  to  them  — 

John  Duncan  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board 
appeared  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  as  by  the  Act  pre- 
scribed he  requested  Time  to  consider  of  it  till  this  Day  Eight 
Days  which  was  granted  him  — 

Hendrick  Frey  of  Tryon  County  and  Nicholas  Stevens  of 
Schonectady  were  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on  the 
Eighth  Day  of  August  Instant  to  render  Satisfaction  touching 
their  Conduct  during  the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act 
lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  — 

Daniel  Campbell,  John  Visger,  James  Ellice  and  Cor- 
nelius Glen  &  Gysbert  Fonda  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  declaring  their  Readiness  to  take  the  Oath  by  the  Act 
prescribed  provided  [123]  the  Board  would  grant  them  the 
Indulgence  and  we  being  of  Opinion  that  they  could  not  be 
permitted  have  resolved  to  take  the  Opinion  of  the  Judges  of 
the  Supream  Court  thereon 

Ordered  that  Notice  be  given  to  Daniel  Campbell,  James 
Ellice,  John  Visger,  Peter  Vosburgh,  Lowrence  Goes,  Harme 
Pruyn  William  Rea,  Barent  Van  Der  Pool  Andries  Huyck, 
Marte  Van  Buren,  John  Thurman1  and  Peter  Van  Schaack 

'Isaac  A.  Fonda  was  paid  £21  „  45.  on  August  13,  1778,  for  conducting 
Thurman  and  others  to  Fishkill.  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary 
Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


190  State  of  New  York 


1778^  to  appear  on  Friday  the  14^  Day  of  August  Instant  at  the 
Court  House  in  the  City  of  Albany  with  14  Days  Provision 
for  themselves  and  such  of  their  Families  as  they  chuse 
should  accompany  them  (Persons  capable  of  bearing  Arms 
excepted)  They  are  also  if  they  think  proper  to  take  with 
them  all  their  Cloathing  and  Household  Furniture  —  The 
Charges  of  Transportation  to  the  Enemies  Lines  is  to  be 
defrayed  by  themselves  — 

Ordered  that  an  Advertisement  be  sent  down  to  Samuel 
Loudon  Printer  to  be  inserted  in  his  next  Paper1  requesting 
David  Van  Schaack,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack  and  Lambert 
Burgart  of  Kinderhook  &  Peter  W  Yates  of  Catskill  to  appear 
before  us  at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  on  Thursday  the  thir- 
teenth Day  of  August  Instant  at  10  of  the  Clock  in  the  Fore- 
noon of  the  same  Day  in  Consequence  and  by  Virtue  of  an 
Act  passed  by  the  Legislature  at  their  last  Sessions  entitled 
"An  Act  more  effectually  to  prevent  the  Mischiefs  arising 
from  the  Influence  and  Example  of  Persons  of  equivocal  and 
suspected  Characters  in  this  State  — 

The[n]  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning  — 
1778          [124]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Aug.  3. 

Albany  3?  August  1778  — 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  |         (  Mat.  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  j       |  John  M.  Beekman 

Mathew  Watson  and  John  Roff  appeared  before  the 
Board  and  expressed  a  Desire  of  becoming  Sureties  for  the 
eliberation  of  Peter  Drumond  Ordered  that  the  said  Peter 
Drumond  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement  and  per- 
mitted to  go  at  large  on  the  said  Mathew  Watson  and  John 

1  New  York  Packet  and  American  Advertiser. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      191 


Roff's  entering  into  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour  and 
his  punctual  compliance  with  such  Restrictions  as  shall  from 
Time  to  Time  be  imposed  upon  him  by  this  Board. 

Peter  Drummond  on  Recognizance  in  £500  —    — 
Mathew  Watson  his  Bail  ..........  in  £500  —    — 

John  RofF  also  his  Bail  ............  in  £500  —    — 

Christian  Sandt  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
that  Christopher  Hutt  of  the  Beverdam  might  be  eliberated 
on  his  the  said  Christian  Sandt'  s  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  his  good  Behaviour  &  Mont[h]ly  Appearance  which  Re- 
quisition was  complied  with  on  the  said  Recognizance  being 
entered  into  — 

Christian  Sandt  on  Recognizance.,  .in  £100  —    — 

Ordered  that  Notice  be  given  to  Richard  Cartwright  John 
Van  Alen,  Henry  Staats,  Gysbert  G.  Marselius  Benjamin 
Baker,  Henry  Van  Dyck,  James  Dole  Henry  Ten  Eyck  John 
Stevenson,  Absolom  Woodward,  Cornelius  Glen,  and  Gys- 
bert Fonda  to  appear  at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  on  Friday 
the  i^J1  Day  of  August  Instant  with  fourteen  Days  Provision 
for  themselves  and  [125]  such  of  their  Families  as  they  chuse 
should  accompany  them  (Persons  capable  of  bearing  Arms 
excepted)  they  are  also  permitted  to  take  with  them  all 
their  Cloathing  and  Household  Furniture  The  Charges 
of  Transportation  to  the  Enemies  is  to  be  defrayed  by 
themselves  — 

Application  being  made  to  the  Board  by  James  Knowles 
to  be  eliberated  on  Account  of  his  being  sick  and  he  being 
a  Person  whose  Evidence  may  be  of  the  utmost  Conse- 
quence to  the  State  Resolved  therefore  that  the  said  James 
Knowles  be  continued  in  Confinement  and  that  a  Weekly 
Allowance  of  2  Dollars  for  his  Subsistence  be  given  him 
during  his  Illness  — 


192  State  of  New  York 


1778          The  Board  taking  into  their  Consideration  the  Allowance 
Aug.  3. 

made  to  their  Secretary  and  judging  the  same  inadequate  to 
his  Services  do  resolve  that  he  be  allowed  from  the  Time  of 
his  entering  into  our  Service  and  during  his  further  Con- 
tinuance therein  the  Sum  of  Twenty  Shillings  per  Day  it 
being  the  same  Pay  allowed  by  the  Commissioners  at  Pough- 
keepsie  — * 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Aug78d     Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  4t.h  August  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman          |        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        |  Mat.  Visscher 

f  John  Waters  who  was  some  Time  since  bound  by  Recog- 
nizance not  to  depart  beyond  the  Limits  of  this  City  appeared 
before  the  Board  and  informed  us  that  he  had  procured  a 
sufficient  Bail  Ordered  that  he  [126]  together  with  his  Bail 
be  bound  by  another  Recognizance  and  permited  to  go 
at  large  in  this  County  on  his  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  and  that  the  first  Recognizance  be  utterly  void 
and  of  no  Effect 

John  Waters  of  Recognizance  in.  ...   £100  —    — 
John  Correy  his  Bail in. ...  £100  — 

Isaac  Man  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to  render 
Satisfaction  touching  his  Conduct  during  the  present  War 
agreeable  to  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  —  and 
he  appearing  was  tendered  the  Oath  by  the  Act  prescribed 
which  he  refused  to  take  — 

John  Cumming  was  also  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 

1  Gansevoort's  full  bill  for  services  as  secretary,  from  April  13,  1778,  to 
April  29,  1783,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  161,  State  Comp- 
troller's office,  and  amounted  to  .£535  //  6s.  a  66.,  for  eight  hundred  days. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       193 

and  appearing  he  was  tendered  the  Oath  which  he  refused    A1778 
to  take  — 

Ordered  that  the  said  Isaac  Man  and  John  Gumming 
appear  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  of  Albany  on  Friday  the 
14^  Day  of  August  Instant  it  being  the  Time  appointed  for 
their  being  removed  within  the  Enemies  Lines  with  14  Days 
Provision  for  themselves  and  such  of  their  Family  as  they 
chuse  should  accompany  them  (Persons  able  to  bear  Arms 
excepted)  they  are  also  permitted  to  take  with  them  all 
their  Cloathing  and  Household  Furniture  — 

Ordered  that  Volckert  Van  Veghten  also  appear  at  the 
City  Hall  in  this  City  on  Friday  the  14^  Day  of  August 
Instant  to  be  removed  into  the  Enemies  Lines  and  to  be 
equipped  in  the  same  Manner  as  the  Persons  abovemen- 
tioned  — 

[127]  Alexander  White  made  Application  to  the  Board  by 
Letters  requesting  to  be  brought  before  us  and  his  Request 
being  complied  with  he  desired  that  the  Act  lately  passed 
respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters 
might  be  extended  to  him  and  we  having  tendered  him  the 
Oath  therein  prescribed  he  refused  to  take  it  Ordered 
that  he  hold  himself  in  Readiness  to  be  removed  to  the 
Enemies  Lines  on  Friday  the  14^  Day  of  August  Instant 
and  that  he  be  bound  by  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient 
Surety  to  remain  within  the  Limits  of  this  City  until  his 
Removal  — 

Alexander  White  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  —  o  — 
George  Smith  his  Bail in.  £100 —  o  — 

John  Kortz  JunF  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
and  being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  he 
refused  to  take  it 

Ordered  that  he  hold  himself  in  Readiness  to  be  removed 


1 94  State  of  New  York 

J7?8      to  the  Enemies  Lines  on  Friday  the  i^  Day  of  August 
Instant  — 

George  Snider  who  was  some  Time  bound  by  Recogniz- 
ance to  appear  on  the  last  Day  of  every  Month  appeared 
and  surrendered  himself  in  Discharge  of  his  Bail  Robert 
Youngs  Ordered  that  he  be  committed  and  that  the  said 
Robert  Youngs  be  discharged  from  his  Recognizance  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

5.    Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  5^  August  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j       |  Mat  Visscher 

[128]  Dunham  Pettit  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
made  Application  for  the  eliberation  of  George  Snider  who 
was  Yesterday  confined  and  engaged  to  become  his  Surety 
Ordered  that  the  said  George  Snider  be  permitted  to  return 
Home  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

George  Snider  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100 —    — 
Dunham  Pettit  his  Bail in. .  £100 —    — 

John  Hagaman  and  Gideon  Towner  were  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  to  give  their  Testimony  against  Egbert 
Ostrander  and  his  Wife  — 

Volckert  Van  Veghten  having  heretofore  been  cited  to 
appear  and  tendered  the  Oath  which  he  refused  to  take 
again  appeared  and  informed  us  that  having  reconsidered  it 
he  was  willing  to  take  the  same  provided  the  Board  would 
grant  him  the  Indulgence  Ordered  that  he  be  informed 
that  the  Board  will  take  the  same  into  their  Consideration  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      195 


Neal  Taylor  was  apprehended  by  Cap?  John  Smith  and  a  *778 
Party  of  Militia  under  the  Direction  of  Col1.  Humfrey  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined  him  do 
order  that  he  be  committed  and  that  Cap?  Smith  and  his 
Party  allowed  as  a  Gratuity  for  apprehending  him  no 
Dollars1 

The  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  —  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  6^  August  1778 —    A17*8* 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ")        |  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        j  Mathew  Visscher 

Dirk  Delamater  of  Claverack  produced  to  the  Board  a 
[129]  Certificate  subscribed  by  Richard  Esselstyne  Esq^ 
Justice  of  the  Peace  of  his  having  taken  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  to  the  State  Ordered  thereupon  that  he  be 
discharged  — 

John  M.  Beekman  Esqf  heretofore  appointed  Treasurer 
to  this  Board  in  whose  Hands  was  deposited  the  Sum  of  One 
thousand  Pounds  produced  to  the  Board  Vouchers  to  the 
Amount  of  Eight  hundred  and  Ninety  nine  Pounds  two 
Shillings  and  four  Pence  Ordered  that  the  said  Vouchers 
together  with  the  Sum  of  One  hundred  Pounds  and  seven- 
teen Shillings  and  eight  Pence  the  Remainder  of  the  said 
One  Thousand  Pounds  be  deposited  in  the  Hands  of  Leonard 
Gansevoort  Junr  Secretary  to  this  Board  who  by  Order  of 
the  said  Board  is  appointed  Treasurer  in  the  Stead  of  the 
said  John  M.  Beekman  and  that  he  be  accountable  to  the 
Board  for  the  same  — 

The[n]  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Afternoon  2  OClock 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165, 
State  Comptroller's  office,  made  out  for  £4.0,  equal  to  one  hundred  dollars. 


196  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  7*:h   August  1778 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer )        {  -\<r    i.       w      L 
i         „    „      .  y       -j  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  L).  l*onaa  )        ( 

Dirk  Gardinier,  John  D.  Goes,  and  Mathew  Goes  who 
requested  Time  till  last  Tuesday  to  consider  of  the  Oath 
tendered  to  them,  and  who  agreed  that  their  Non  Attendance 
on  that  Day  would  be  construed  into  a  Refusal  not  having 
appeared  Ordered  that  their  Refusal  be  entered 

Received  a  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Dyck  dated  j^  August 
1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  to  wit, 
(prout) 

[130]  Ordered  that  an  Answer  be  prepared  to  the  same 
which  Answer  is  in  the  Words  following  viz?  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  of  Volckert  Veeder  which  is  dated  5*h 
August  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (prout) 

The  People  of  Bennington  having  some  Time  since 
apprehended  Ephraim  Aires  and  sent  him  to  General  Starks 
for  Confinement  and  the  General  having  requested  this 
Board  to  take  him  into  Custody  Ordered  that  the  Generals 
Request  be  complied  [with]  and  that  the  Goaler  be  ordered  by 
v  Mittimus  to  receive  the  said  Ephraim  Airs  into  his  Custody 

Peter  F.  Winne  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to 
give  Information  respecting  John  Dunbar  and  others  im- 
mediately on  Receipt  of  Citation 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 
78      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  8^  August  1778  — 

.  8. 


Aug. 

Present 


Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  }        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  }       (  Hugh  Mitchell 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      197 


Whereas  it  has  been  suggested  to  this  Board  that  sundry  AI7788 
Persons  under  a  Pretence  of  having  Authority  from  the 
Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  to  examine  into  the  Conduct 
of  Persons  by  them  supposed  to  have  been  unfriendly  to  the 
American  Cause  use  unbecoming  Language  and  pretend  to 
exercise  Power  not  vested  in  them  whereby  sundry  of  the 
Inhabitants  of  Hosack  District  are  under  Apprehensions  of 
being  ill  used  therefore  resolved  that  no  [131]  Person  or 
Persons  under  any  Pretence  whatsoever  disturb  or  molest 
any  of  the  Inhabitants  without  first  obtaining  due  Proof  to 
justify  them  in  such  Proceeding  and  then  only  upon  proper 
Authority  to  them  given  for  their  so  doing  from  this  Board  or 
any  other  legal  Authority  of  the  State  otherwise  they  shall 
answer  the  same  at  their  Peril  — 

Col!  Hendrick  Frey  who  was  cited  to  appear  this  Day 
appeared  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act 
lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  he  declared  his  Willingness 
to  take  it  and  it  was  accordingly  administred  to  him  — 

Nicholas  Stevens  of  Schonectady  who  was  also  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Board  this  Day  appeared  and  being 
tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  he  requested  Time 
to  consider  of  the  same  till  next  Saturday  which  was  granted 
him 

Leonard  Gansevoort  Junr  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 
of  sundry  Articles  purchased  for  the  Use  of  the  Board 
amounting  to  £^.aoao  which  was  allowed  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  sent  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie  inclosing  a  List  of  Persons  who  have  refused 
to  take  the  Oath  as  prescribed  by  the  Act  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following  (prout) 

Ordered  that  a  Certificate  be  sent  down  to  John  Morin 
Scott  Esqf  Secretary  of  the  State  of  New  York  certifying 
that  Richard  Cartwright  on  the  16^  Day  of  July  last  Peter 


198  State  of  New  York 


Vosburgh,  Lowrence  Goes  and  Harmen  Pruyn,  William 
Rea  Barent  Van  Der  Pool  and  Andries  Huyck  on  the  21s* 
Day  [132]  July  last  Benjamin  Baker  Henry  Van  Dyck, 
Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck  and  James  Dole  on  the 
23?  Day  of  July  last,  John  Witbeeck  and  Volckert  Van 
Veghten  on  the  28^  Day  of  July  last  Marte  Van  Buren  on 
the  29^  Day  of  July  last,  &  Richard  Minifee  on  the  30^ 
Day  of  July  last  Gysbert  Fonda,  John  Stevenson  and 
Absolom  Woodward  on  the  if  Day  of  August  Instant,  John 
Gumming,  Isaac  Man,  John  Kortz  Junf  &  Alexander 
White  on  the  4t.h  Day  of  August  Instant  and  DirckGardinier, 
Mathew  Goes  Junf  and  John  D.  Goes  on  the  7^  Day  of 
August  Instant  were  in  Pursuance  of  the  Act  of  the  Legis- 
lature lately  passed  respecting  neutral  &  equivocal  Char- 
acters cited  to  appear  before  us  and  on  their  Appearance 
on  the  Days  abovementioned  we  having  tendered  them  the 
Oath  in  the  abovementioned  Act  set  forth  &  prescribed 
they  refused  to  take  the  same  — 

Peter  F.  Winne  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  us  this 
Day  appeared  and  we  having  examined  him  Ordered  that 
his  Examination  be  committed  to  Writing  and  filed  — 

John  Duncan  Esqf  pursuant  to  the  Appointment  of  the 
first  Day  of  August  Instant  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
laid  before  us  an  Affidavit  taken  before  Abraham  Fonda 
Esqf  and  a  Certificate  of  his  Neighbours  which  Affidavit 
and  Certificate  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (here 
take  in  Affidavit  and  Certificate)  and  declaring  at  the  same 
Time  that  he  conceived  himself  not  to  be  comprehended 
within  the  Meaning  of  the  Act  nevertheless  to  show  his 
farther  Zeal  and  Attachment  to  the  State  and  [133]  the 
Cause  of  America,  that  he  was  willing  &  ready  to  take  the 
said  Oath  voluntarily  which  he  accordingly  [did]  before  us  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  next  Monday  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       199 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  10^  August  1778   A1778 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  AT    ,        T7.      , 
1  >       <  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Tonda  j        ( 

Jenny  Clement  who  was  apprehended  on  her  Way  to 
Kortright's  Patent  by  a  Party  of  Lieu*  Colonel  Butler's 
Men,  and  by  him  sent  to  General  Stark  who  had  her  com- 
mitted to  Goal,  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  her  and  finding  her  Answers  no  Way  satisfactory 
ordered  therefore  that  she  be  recommitted 

Received  a  Letter  from  Peter  W  Yates  informing  us 
that  he  had  never  been  summoned  and  had  before  he  knew 
of  any  Citation  being  sent  for  him  taken  the  Oaths  of  Alle- 
giance and  Office  also  two  several  Letters  the  One  from 
Walter  Livingston  EsqF  the  other  from  Judge  Yates  which 
said  Letters  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Peter  Cantine  JunF  Esqf  One  of 
the  Commissioners  at  Poughkeepsie  which  Letter  is  dated 
7  *h  August  1778  and  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  [Morrow]  Corning 

Met   pursuant  to   Adjournment  —  Albany  n^  Aug*   1778   Al77fx 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 
Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col!  Cornelius  Humfrey  inform- 
ing [134]  that  he  sent  to  us  Mf  Cole  the  Person  at  whose 
House  Neal  Taylor  was  apprehended  and  who  there  is  the 
greatest  reason  to  suppose  has  been  privy  to  most  of  the 

'By  an  error  in  the  original  "  Morning  "  is  duplicated. 


200  State  of  New  York 


1778      Robberies  committed  by  the  said  Neal  Taylor,  which  Letter 

Aug.  ii.  f  J 

is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Ordered  that  M"  Cole  be  carried  to  the  Fort  and  there 
closely  confined  and  Mf  Volckert  Dawson  be  ordered  to 
take  her  into  Custody  — 

Resolved  that  Stephen  Bell  the  Goaler  be  ordered  to  let 
John  Taylor  EsqF  examine  Zadock  Wright  confined  in  Goal, 
at  such  Times  as  he  may  think  proper  to  call  upon  him  for 
that  Purpose  — 

Peter  Van  Schaack  Esqf  appeared  before  the  Board  in 
Behalf  of  a  Number  of  Persons  who  are  to  be  removed  to 
the  Enemies  Lines  next  Friday  and  requested  of  the  Board 
to  consider  whether  they  were  comprehended  within  the 
Meaning  of  the  Act  as  they  had  taken  an  Oath  before  the 
Committee  of  this  Place  not  to  aid  or  assist  the  Enemy  and  if 
the  Board  should  be  of  Opinion  that  they  do,  that  then  they 
might  be  indulged  with  some  longer  Time  as  the  Time  fixed 
for  their  Departure  is  so  short  as  to  put  it  out  of  their  Power 
to  settle  their  necessary  Affairs  Ordered  that  he  be  informed 
that  the  Board  will  take  the  same  into  their  Consideration  — 

Ordered  Hendrick  Hoogteling,  Egbert  Ostrander,  Archi- 
bald Mf  Kellop  and  Daniel  Frazier  be  removed  from  the 
City  Hall  to  the  Fort  on  Account  of  their  being  sick  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778          [J35]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  12*?  August  1778  — 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j       ( 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  (. 

Received  a  Letter  from  Peter  W  Yates  dated  n^  August 
1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit  (prout) 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      201 


The   Board   having  taken   into  their  Consideration   the    , 

A.  tier    12 

Application  made  Yesterday  by  Peter  Van  Schaack  Esqr 
in  Behalf  of  a  Number  of  Persons  who  are  to  be  removed 
to  the  Enemies  Lines  and  are  of  Opinion  that  those  Persons 
are  clearly  comprehended  within  the  Act,  and  that  we 
cannot  prolong  the  Time  fixed  for  their  Removal  and 
ordered  that  they  have  Notice  given  them  of  this  our 
Determination  — 

Ordered  That  the  Secretary  pay  Cap?  John  Ryley  on 
Account  of  his  Ranging  Company  fifty  Pounds  and  to  be 
deducted  from  his  Pay  Roll  — 

Ordered  That  MT  Visscher  acquaint  Mr  Yates  that  it  is 
their  Opinion  he  ought  to  come  up  and  Qualify  before  the 
Board  — 

Ordered  That  John  Van  Alen  be  informed  that  in  Case 
he  is  inclined  to  take  his  Sloop  to  New  York  that  he  pro- 
cure a  sufficient  Bail  by  to  Morrow  Morning  at  lo.OClock 
for  it's  immediate  Return 

George  Westhoff,  Andries  Bottger,  Ernst  Rhahia  Johan- 
nis  Mollner,  Frederich  Gleygsman,  Andries  Wolders,  Con- 
rath  Albers,  Henrich  Schinniman  Hendrick  Browman, 
Christiaen  Brows,  Lutwig  Bruemer  Lutwig  Garth  and 
three  others  lately  belonging  to  Burgoyne's  Army  and  who 
[136]  had  for  some  time  lived  at  Schoharey  were  brought 
before  the  Board,  and  requested  leave  to  remain  in  Schoharey 
and  this  being  also  requested  by  some  principal  People  of 
Schoharey. 

Ordered  that  they  be  permitted  to  return  there  upon  their 
taking  an  Oath  of  Neutrality,  which  they  accordingly  did 
and  had  Certificates  therof  — 

Rebecca  Clark  appeared  before  the  Board  and  made 
Application  to  have  her  Son  Thomas  Clark  eliberated 
whereupon  the  said  Thomas  Clark  was  brought  before  us 


2O2  State  of  New  York 


1778  and  we  having  examined  him  and  finding  no  particular 
Charges  against  him  Ordered  that  he  be  discharged  from 
his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Thomas  Clark  on  Recognizance  in . .  £100  —    — 
Rebecca  Clark  his  Bail  in . .  £100  —    — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  [blank]  Hainer  the  Sum 
of  £1^0  for  apprehending  and  bringing  to  Goal  John 
Myer1 

Esack  Mosier.  who  was  apprehended  by  a  Party  of  Cap* 
Van  Aernam's  Men  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  him  find  that  he  has  been  Principal  in 
all  the  Robberies  lately  committed  Ordered  that  he  be 
confined 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  13^  August  1778 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  j        (  Cornelius  Humfrey 

David  Van  Schaack  appeared  before  the  Board  in  Con- 
sequence of  a  Notice  published  in  Louden's2  Paper  and 
being  tendered  the  Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  he  refused 
to  take  the  same  — 

[137]  John  Van  Alen  according  to  the  Appointment  of 
Yesterday  appeared  before  the  Board  with  Barent  Van  Alen 
and  Philip  Van  Renselaer  as  Sureties  for  the  Return  of  his 
Sloop  from  New  York  —  Ordered  that  a  Bond  be  drawn 
from  the  said  Sureties  to  us  in  the  Sum  of  £1500/^0  — 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  161,  State 
Comptroller's  office  receipted  by  John  Reilay  for  Wilhelmus  Haines. 
*  Samuel  Loudon. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      203 

Philip    Hoffer    and    Andries    Heyneman    two    Hessian   A1778 
Deserters  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested  to  be 
protected   by  us     Ordered   that  they  have   Permission  to 
go  at  large  in  this  County  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Christina  Tice  &  others  dated 
II1?  August  1778  and  also  One  from  Peter  Van  Schaack 
Esqf  dated  10^  August  1778  which  Letters  are  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Henry  Ten  Eyck  Esqf  dated  the 
12^  Instant  requesting  to  be  permitted  to  take  the  Oath 
formerly  Tendered  him  which  said  Letter  is  in  the  follow- 
ing Words  to  wit  (prout)  — 

Ordered  That  Instructions  be  made  out  for  Mr  Isaac  A. 
Fonda  who  is  appointed  to  superintend  the  removal  of  the 
Persons  who  have  refused  to  take  the  Oath  from  the  Dis- 
tricts of  Kinderhook,  Manor  of  Rensselaer  and  Coxackie 
which  said  Instructions  are  in  the  following  Words  to  wit 
(prout)  — 

Mess1?  Henry  Van  Dyck,  Henry  Staats,  Absolom  Wood- 
worth,  James  Dole,  and  John  Van  Aelen  appeared  before 
the  Board  and  laid  before  them  their  Objections  to  the 
Oath  Tendered  them  which  Paper  is  on  file  and  dated  this 
day 

Rece?  a  Letter  from  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junr  dated  IIth 
Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  following  Words  to  wit  (prout) 

[138]  Cornelius  Van  Schaack  and  Lambert  Burghart 
appeared  before  the  Board  in  Consequence  of  a  Notice 
published  in  Louden*  s  News  Paper  and  being  tendered  the 
Oath  they  requested  Time  to  consider  of  the  same  till 
21s*  Instant  which  was  granted  them  Ordered  that  their 
Non  Attendance  on  that  Day  will  be  construed  into  a 
Refusal  to  take  the  said  Oath  — 

Ordered  that  Doctor  Tidmarsh  be  cited  to  appear  before 


204  State  of  New  York 


1778      the  Board  on  the  1$^  Instant  to  render  Satisfaction  touching 

Aug.  13. 

his  Conduct  during  the  present  War  agreeable  to  the  Act 
lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Major  Schermerhorn  respecting 
a  certain  Hugh  M'rColly  who  was  sent  to  us  wherein  he 
informs  us  that  on  Examination  he  finds  the  said  Hugh 
M'rColly  to  be  a  very  suspected  Person,  that  he  found  with 
him  Continental  Dollars  to  the  Amount  of  180  Dollars  — 
Ordered  that  the  same  be  delivered  into  the  Hands  of  the 
Secretary  and  that  the  said  Hugh  M'rColly  be  closely  con- 
fined — 

Julis  Eggers,  John  Otto  Meynecke,  Andrias  Kogh,  George 
Peatzhold,  Godfred  Israel,  Christian  Smith,  Frederick 
Nease,  Frederick  Kepping,  Johan  Eylers,  Christoph  Papist 
Hendrick  Hoffman,  Hendrick  Greykenbom,  Jacob  Sierenger 
Cunrad  Beeler,  Michael  Norff,  George  Aple,  Johannis 
Plugh  Hendrick  BurghdofF,  Christian  Just,  Henrich  Kogh, 
Carle  Weegener,  Henrick  Henicke,  John  Wheather,  Frederick 
Westfallen  Carle  Meyer,  John  Ledeke,  Adolph  Bruns, 
Christoph  Keenholtz  and  Gebhard  Cool  man  Hessians 
lately  belonging  to  Burgoyne's  Army  were  brought  before 
the  Board  and  being  tendered  an  Oath  of  Neutrality  they 
unanimously  declared  their  [139]  Willingness  to  take  the 
same  Ordered  that  it  be  administred  to  them  and  that 
Certificates  thereof  be  given  them  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

I77g  Met   pursuant   to   Adjournment  — 

Aus-  J4-  Albany  14*?  August  1778  — 

Present 

(  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  |       1  Comelius  Humfrey 

Isaac  D.Fonda  (  Hugh  Mitchell 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      205 


It  being  represented  to  us  by  the  Goaler  Stephen  Bell  A1778 
that  Esek  Hosier  lately  brought  to  Goal  is  dangerously 
wounded  and  that  from  the  Want  of  necessary  Attendance  he 
greatly  suffers  Ordered  that  he  be  removed  to  the  Hospital 
and  that  Doctor  Young  be  requested  to  take  him  under  his 
Care  — 

Ordered  that  Instructions  be  made  out  to  Coll  John  Fisher 
who  is  appointend  [sic]  the  Removal  of  the  Persons  who  have 
refused  to  take  the  Oath  from  the  City  of  Albany  which 
Instructions  are  in  the  following  Words,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter1  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor 
dated  12^  August  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  also  a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  at  Pough- 
keepsie  dated  the  I  if  August  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Jacob  Ostrander,  Moses  Benton,  and  Ephraim  Knowlton 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  made  Application  for  the 
eliberation  of  Egbert  Ostrander  and  it  appearing  from  the 
Information  of  the  Goaler  that  he  is  very  sick  Ordered 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  the  above 
named  Jacob  Ostrander  Moses  Benton  and  Ephraim 
Knowlton' s  entering  into  [140]  Recognizance  for  the  Ap- 
pearance of  the  said  Egbert  Ostrander  at  any  Court  of 
Judicature  and  General  Goal  Delivery  which  may  here- 
after call  upon  him,  and  for  his  Monthly  Appearance 
before  us  — 

Jacob    Ostrander    Bail    for    Egbert 
Ostrander  on  Recognizance  in  the 

Sum  of £100  —  o  — 

Moses  Benton  also  his  Bail,  .in £100  —  o  — 

Ephraim  Knowlton  his  Bail  in £100  —  o  — 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1648,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


206  State  of  New  York 


J778          In  Consequence  of  the  Letter  received  from  his  Excellency 

lCr     14. 

the  Governor  Henry  Cuyler,  James  Ellice,  James  Dole  and 
Alexander  White  were  brought  before  the  Board  and  in- 
formed of  the  Directions  the  Board  had  received  from  him 
Whereupon  Ordered  that  they  be  severally  closely  confined  — 

Peter  W  Yates  appeared  before  the  Board  according  to  the 
Order  received  from  us  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  pre- 
scribed in  the  Act  he  requested  Time  to  consider  of  the 
same  which  was  given  him  — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Col?  John  Fisher 
£i2ao#o  to  be  by  him  accounted  for  to  this  Board  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany    15?    August  1778  — 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  }        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Hugh  Mitchell  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Ordered  that  a  Letter1  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  requesting  of  him  to  grant  M^  White  Permission 
to  go  to  New  York  to  sollicit  an  Exchange  for  her  Husband 
which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit  (prout) 

Ordered  that  a  Pass  be  given  to  Mr!  White  to  go  down  to 
Poughkeepsie  for  the  above  Purpose  — 

[141]  Mi"  Nicholas  Stevens  who  upon  his  Appearance 
requested  Time  till  this  Day  to  consider  of  the  Oath  then 
tendered  appeared  and  the  Oath  being  again  tendered  him  he 
refused  to  take  the  same 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  Duncan  Esqf  which  is  dated 
I3t:h  Instant  respecting  Stutley  Scrantum  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1655,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       207 


Stutley  Scrantum  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we   A1778 
having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his  Crime  do  find  that 
he  last  Summer  went  over  to  the  Enemy,  in  Consequence  of 
the  above  Letter  — 

Ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  return  to  his  Place  of 
Abode  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Study  Scrantum  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  —  o  —  o 

Mathias  Van  Den  Bergh  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
requested  from  us  a  Pass  to  go  to  Livingston's  Manor  and  the 
Nine  Partners  in  Pursuit  of  some  stolen  Effects  of  his  Father 
said  to  be  there  secreted  Ordered  that  a  Pass  be  made  out 
accordingly  — 

Christian  Bartram  of  the  Helleberg  appeared  before  the 
Board  and  requested  the  eliberation  of  John  Frederick 
Hendle  a  German  Deserter  from  Burgoyne's  Army  and  the 
said  John  Frederick  Hendle  being  brought  before  us  and  we 
having  examined  him  Ordered  that  he  be  discharged  from 
his  Confinement  and  that  a  Pass  to  go  at  large  in  this  County 
be  given  him  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  Monday  Morning  9  OClock  — 

[142]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  J778 

Albany  if?  August  1778 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }       j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        |  Mathew  Visscher 

Henry  Van  Schaack  of  Kinderhook  who  was  heretofore 
summoned  to  appear  before  the  Board  and  whose  Appear- 
ance was  dispensed  with  till  this  Day  on  Account  of  his  being 
sick  appeared  and  being  tendered  the  Oath  as  prescribed  in 


208  State  of  New  York 


the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  he  refused  to  take 

Aug.    Iy«         i 

the  same  — 

At  the  Request  of  General  Stark  Ephraim  Marsh  John 
Shelden,  Nicholas  Schuyler  and  Benjamin  Lull  who  were 
apprehended  to  the  Westward  by  Cap*  Ballard  and  brought 
to  this  Place  were  brought  before  the  Board  and  severally 
examined  Ordered  that  they  be  recommitted 

Elizabeth  Crothers  appeared  before  the  Board  and  laid 
before  us  two  Passes  she  had  heretofore  obtained  the  One 
from  General  Gates  the  other  from  the  Committee  of  this 
Place  granting  to  her  Permission  to  go  to  Canada  at  the 
same  Time  informing  us  that  after  procuring  them  she  was 
by  unavoidable  Delays  prevented  from  going  &  praying 
Permission  to  go  with  the  Flag  that  is  shortly  to  set  off  for 
that  Quarter  Ordered  that  the  Board  will  take  the  same 
into  their  Consideration  — 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon  — 

1778  ]\/[et;  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  iS^  August  1778  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |       j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j       |  Mathew  Visscher 

[143]  Received  a  Letter  from  P.  Wynkoop  Junf  dated 
I7*:h  Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout) 

In  Consequence  of  the  above  Letter  Martin  M<:Gee  of 
Kinderhoc  k  who  was  last  Week  confined  was  brought 
before  the  ^oard  and  we  having  examined  him  and  finding 
his  Answers  to  such  Questions  as  were  put  to  him  satisfactory 
we  have  thought  proper  to  discharge  him  from  Confinement — 

The   Requisition   of  Elizabeth    Crothers   to   the    Board 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      209 
Yesterday  was  taken  into  Consideration    Ordered  that  she    .  I7780 

*  .  Aug.  18. 

have  Leave  to  go  with  the  next  Flag  to  Canada  — 

Ordered  that  John  Stevenson,  Richard  Cartwright,  John 
Van  Alen  and  Isaac  Man  be  warned  to  prepare  and  hold 
themselves  in  Readiness  to  be  removed  by  a  Flag  within  the 
Enemies  Lines  to  Morrow  Morning 

John  Sloss  who  was  condemned  to  be  executed  and  has 
since  received  a  Pardon  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  and  his  Examination  committed  to  Writing1  and 
filed  after  which  he  requested  to  be  discharged  from  Im- 
prisonment and  he  being  a  Person  whose  Evidence  may  be 
of  great  Consequence  to  the  State  therefore  resolved  that 
the  said  John  Sloss  be  continued  in  Confinement  and  that 
a  Weekly  Allowance  of  2  Dollars  be  given  him  during  his 
further  Confinement  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment — Albany  19^  August  1778       Au77? 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

[144]  Ordered  that  Instructions  be  made  out  to  Lieutenant 
Isaac  Bogert  who  is  appointed  to  superintend  the  Removal  of 
John  Stevenson,  Richard  Cartwright,  John  Van  Alen,  and 
Isaac  Man  Persons  who  have  refused  to  take  the  Oath  as 
prescribed  by  the  Act,  from  this  Place  to  the  Northward 
within  the  Enemies  the  Lines  which  Instructions  are  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Clark,  Alexander  M?Nitt 
and  Alexander  Webster  Commissioners  for  the  County  of 

1  A  copy  of  his  examination  is  in  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1669,  archives 
of  New  York  State  Library. 


2io  State  of  New  York 


1778  Charlotte  dated  14^  August  1778  informing  that  they  sent  to 
us  under  Guard  a  certain  Andrew  Stephenson  an  Inhabitant 
of  that  County  who  in  June  last  went  to  Canada  and  lately 
returned  and  voluntarily  surrendered  himself  and  took  the 
Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the  State  Ordered  that  the  Board  will 
take  the  said  Andrew  Stephenson's  Case  into  Consideration 
and  that  he  attend  before  us  to  Morrow  Morning  at  10 
OClock  — 

John  Cowin  praying  to  be  eliberated  from  his  Confine- 
ment on  Account  of  his  being  sick  and  the  Goaler  appearing 
before  us  and  confirming  this  Assertion  —  Ordered  that 
he  be  released  from  his  Confinement  on  Stephen  Turtle's 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance 

Stephen  Tuttle  Bail  for  John  Cowin  in  £100  —  o  — 

Frederick  Wurmer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his  Crime  and  finding 
nothing  special  against  him  have  thought  [proper]  to  eliber- 
ate  him  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behav- 
iour and  Monthly  Appearance 

Frederick  Wurmer  in  Recognizance  in  £100  —    — 
John  Groat  his  Bail in  £100  —  o  — 

[145]  Whereas  by  a  Verbal  Order  from  General  Stark  the 
Commissioners  were  acquainted  that  no  more  Provision 
could  be  issued  to  the  State  Prisoners  whereby  the  Board 
conceive  it  necessary  that  some  Provision  be  provided  for 
such  State  Prisoners  as  are  not  able  to  procure  the  same  for 
themselves  and  for  that  Purpose  that  an  Egreement  [sic]  be 
entered  into  with  John  5  Lansing  for  supplying  them  with 
such  a  Proportion  of  Bread1  as  the  Commissioners  from 

1  Bills  for  supplying  flour  and  bread  by  John  5  Lansing,  for  the  use  of  State 
prisoners,  are  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  pp.  169,  170,  State 
Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      211 

Time  to  Time  shall  judge  Necessary,  and  that  they  also 
agree  with  the  issuing  Commissary  for  such  Quantity  of 
Beef  (to  be  returned  to  him)  as  they  may  require  for  the 
Purposes  aforesaid  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2O*!1  August  1778   AI7780 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ]        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j       |  Mathew  Visscher 

William  Rogers  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  his  Crime  and  finding 
no  special  Charges  against  him  have  thought  proper  to 
permit  him  to  go  at  large  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance 
for  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

William  Rogers  on  Recognizance  and 

Philip  Ryley  his  Bail  each  in £100  —  o  — 

Wrote  a  Letter  to  Lieu*  Coll  Butler  at  Schohary  enclosing 
an  Oath  of  Allegiance  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Coll  Cornelius  Humfrey  which  is 
dated  iS1?  August  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  (prout) 

Wrote  a  Letter1  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  inclosing 
Information  from  the  Commissioners  of  Charlotte  [146] 
County  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout) 

Joseph  Lull,  John  Brook,  Elisha  Marsh,  John  Bullock, 
Ebenezer  Knap  Nathan  Lull,  Richard  Brooks  William 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1679,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


212  State  of  New  York 


1778  Tunnicliff,  and  John  Tunnicliff  who  were  apprehended  to 
the  Westward  by  Capf  Ballard  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  severally  examined  Ordered  that  they  be 
recommitted 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778     ]y[et  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  21 s*  August  1778 

Present 

T  u     iv/r    r>     i  (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

John  M.  Beekman  )        I 

T         .  ,   T7      T>        i        r       •{  Mathew  Visscher 
leremian  Van  Renselaer  I 

I  Hugh  Mitchell 

Andrew  Stephenson  appeared  before  the  Board  accord- 
ing to  Order  this  Day  and  we  having  taken  his  Case  into 
Consideration  do  order  that  he  have  Permission  to  return 
to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode  and  that  a  Pass  for  the  Purpose 
be  given  him  — 

A  Petition  signed  by  William  Printup,  James  Hare,  John 
Fillone,  Samuel  Gardinier,  Jacob  Vrooman  Caspard  Van 
Der  Werke,  John  Penn,  Cornelius  Mills,  and  John  Heat 
was  laid  before  the  Board  setting  forth  that  they  are  con- 
fined in  Johnstown  Goal  that  they  almost  all  of  them  have 
Families  who  suffer  greatly  through  the  Means  of  their 
Confinement  and  praying  in  Order  that  they  may  be  released 
on  procuring  sufficient  Bail  for  their  future  good  Behaviour 

The  Board  taking  the  above  Petition  into  Consideration 
do  order  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Anthony  Van  Veghten 
Esq.r.  high  Sheriff"  of  the  County  of  Tryon  [147]  requesting 
him  to  furnish  us  with  Copies  of  their  Mittimus's  and  if 
he  has  none,  then  to  send  us  the  Names  of  the  Persons  who 
have  committed  them — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  General  Stark  request- 
ing him  to  deliver  up  the  Prisoners  that  have  been  examined 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       213 


by  us,  such  as  are  Subjects  of  this  State  and  also  an  Account 
of  the  Cattle  Sheep  &c  which  have  been  taken  from  those 
Persons  and  where  the  same  are  kept  — 

Johan  Hendrick  Rensard,  and  Jacob  Loevenstern  two 
German  Deserters  from  Burgoyne's  Army  appeared  before 
the  Board  and  claimed  Protection  from  us  and  the  Oath 
of  Allegiance  being  tendered  them  they  declared  their 
Willingness  to  take  the  same  and  it  was  administred  to 
them  accordingly  Ordered  that  they  have  Permission 
to  go  at  large  and  that  a  Pass  for  that  Purpose  be  given 
them  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  22^  August  1778   A1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (ATI        TT-      u 
J  r       1  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda       j        ( 

Ordered  that  Notice  be  given  to  Dirck  Gardinier  Mathew 
Goes  JunT,  John  D.  Goes,  David  Van  Schaack,  Henry  Van 
Schaack,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Lambert  Burghart  all  of 
the  District  of  Kinderhook  and  Nicholas  Stevens  of  Schonec- 
tady  to  appear  on  Saturday  the  Fifth  Day  of  September 
next  at  the  Court  House  in  the  City  of  Albany  [148]  with 
14  Days  Provision  for  themselves  and  such  of  their  Families 
as  they  chuse  should  accompany  them  (Persons  capable  of 
bearing  Arms  excepted)  as  it  is  the  Day  appointed  for  their 
Removal  within  the  Enemies  Lines  they  will  be  permitted 
to  take  with  them  all  their  Cloathing  and  Household  Furni- 
ture, the  Charges  of  Transportation  whereof  must  be 
borne  by  themselves  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Lieu?  Col'  Butler  at 
Schohary  requesting  him  to  furnish  us  with  the  Crimes 


214  State  of  New  York 


1778      wherewith    Tohannis   Docksteder   and    John   Service  stand 
Aug.  22. 

charged  as  soon  as  possible  — 

John  Tunnicliff,  William  Tunicliff,  Richard  Brooks, 
Nicholas  Schuyler,  Elisha  Marsh,  Ebenezer  Knap,  John 
Brooks,  Benjamin  Lull,  Joseph  Lull,  Nathan  Lull  and  John 
Bullock  who  were  examined  by  us  were  this  Day  by  Order 
of  General  Stark  delivered  over  to  us  Ordered  that  a 
Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goal  Keeper  to  receive  them 
into  his  Custody  and  closely  confine  them 

Received  a  Letter  from  General  Stark  informing  that  he 
meant  to  detain  One  of  the  twelve  Prisoners  who  were 
Yesterday  requested  should  be  delivered  over  to  us,  as  a 
Prisoner  and  that  a  Return  of  the  Cattle  Sheep  &c  taken 
from  the  above  Persons  should  be  sent  to  us  as  soon  as 
he  could  procure  the  same  — 

Ordered  that  Charles  M^Arthur,  John  Schultz  Archibald 
Thompson,  Water  Trumble,  John  Service,  John  Goold  and 
Janet  Clement  be  removed  to  the  Hospital  on  Account  of 
their  being  sick  and  that  General  Stark  be  requested  to 
order  a  Gentry  to  be  placed  at  the  Door  of  the  Room  in 
which  they  are  to  be  put  — 

[149]  M™  Parmateer  who  was  some  Time  ago  confined  on 
Suspicion  of  being  Accessory  to  several  Robberies  committed 
last  Year  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  she  being 
examined  and  nothing  special  appearing  against  her  Or- 
dered that  she  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  procuring 
a  sufficient  Bail  by  Wednesday  next  — 

John  Wiess  a  Prisoner  lately  taken  at  Crown  Point  was 
by  Order  of  General  Stark  brought  before  us  and  we  having 
examined  him  Ordered  that  he  be  again  sent  to  General 
Stark  — 

John  Seton  appeared  before  us  and  informed  us  that 
Captain  Jacob  De  Forest  has  in  his  Possession  a  Watch 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      215 
taken  by  the  said  Jacob  De  Forest  from  Eseck  Mosier  which    .  J778 

nUfiT    22 

the  said  John  Seton  claims  as  his  Property  Ordered  that 
the  [said]  Jacob  De  Forest  be  requested  to  deliver  up  the 
said  Watch  provided  the  said  John  Seton  shall  prove  him- 
self to  be  the  lawful  Owner  thereof  — 

Captain  John  Ryley  and  John  Seton  appeared  before  the 
Board  with  a  certain  Jacob  Cronkheyt  who  last  Winter 
made  his  Escape  from  Prison  and  who  they  had  appre- 
hended in  the  Nine  Partners  and  it  appearing  that  the  said 
Jacob  Cronkheyt  stands  indicted  for  a  Robbery  by  him 
committed  Ordered  that  the  said  Jacob  Cronkheyt  be 
closely  confined1 

Cornelius  Van  Schaack  and  Lambert  Burghart  who  on 
their  Appearance  before  us  requested  Time  till  this  Day 
to  consider  of  the  Oath  then  tendered  to  them  and  who  at 
that  Time  agreed  that  their  Non  Attendance  [150]  should 
be  construed  into  a  Refusal  to  take  the  said  [oath]  and 
they  not  having  appeared  Ordered  that  their  Refusal  be 
accordingly  entered  — 

Adjourned  till  Monday  Morning  next  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  24th  Augf  1778  —          A1778 
Present  — 

John  M.  Beeckman    ]        j  Matthew  Visscher 
Jer.  Van  Rensselaer    j        [  Hugh  Mitchell 

Received  a  Letter  from  Lieu?  Colll  Butler  dated  22nd  Augst 
Ins*  which  said  Letter  is  in  the  following  Words  to  wit  (prout) — 

In  Consequence  of  which  said  Letter  John  Docksteder 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  and  nothing 
specially  appearing  therefrom,  he  was  Liberated  upon 

1  John  Seton  was  paid  £5  on  this  day  for  assisting  in  conveying  "  Frederick 
Cronkheydt  "  to  jail.  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  167,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


216  State  of  New  York 

Aug7L    Hendrick  and  Frederick  Docksteders  entring  into  Recog- 
nizance for  the  said  John  Docksteders  future  good  behaviour 

Hendrick  Docksteder  Bail  for £50 

Frederick  Docksteder  Bail 50 

Received  a  Letter  from  Peter  Van  Schaack  EsqF  dated  Pough- 
keepsie  19th  Aug5*  Instant  inclosing  a  Certificate  from  his 
Excellency  the  Governor  dated  the  same  day  which  said  Let- 
ter and  Certificate  are  in  the  following  Words  to  wit  (prout) 

Joseph  Greenman  and  Benjamin  Greenman  JunF  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  upon  examination  it  appeared 
that  they  had  been  with  the  Enemy  at  Rhode  Island  and 
had  been  seduced  thereto  by  their  Father,  that  they  upon 
the  first  oppertunity  offering  made  their  escape  from  the 
Enemy  and  prayed  that  they  might  be  admitted  as  Sub- 
jects of  the  State  — 

[151]  Ordered  that  the  Special  Oath  of  Allegiance  be 
Tendered  to  them,  which  they  accordingly  took 

Benjamin  Lull  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  again 
examined,  and  nothing  specially  appearing  therefrom  — 

Ordered  that  he  be  Liberated  upon  entring  into  Recog- 
nizance with  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good  behaviour 
and  Monthly  appearance 

Benjamin  Lull  on  Recognizance  in £100  — 

John  Brown  Bail 100  — 

Richard  Brooks  was  also  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined 

Ordered  that  he  be  Liberated  in  the  same  manner  as  above 

Richard  Brooks  on  Recog?  in £250  — 

William  Shepherd  )  r>  -i        u  • 

.  \  j-  Bail  each  in 250  — 

George  Smith. . . .  ) 
Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      217 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  25th  Aug*  1778  Au77fs 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman     )        (  A,     ,        Tr      , 
•;       __       _  >      4  Matthew  Visscher 

Jer.   Van  Rensselaer  ;        ( 

Nicholas  Schuyler,  Joseph  Lull,  Ebenezer  Knap  Nathan 
Lull  and  Elisha  Marsh  were  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  and  nothing  appearing  therefrom  worthy  of  Notice 

Ordered  that  they  be  Liberated  upon  entring  into  Re- 
cognizance with  Surety  for  their  future  good  behaviour  and 
Monthly  appearance 

George  Smith  &  )    -,    -    r>  M        i    •  r 

£  \  their  Bail  each  in ...  £50  — 

Joshua  Bloore       ) 

[152]  Ordered  that  Andries  Ten  Eyck  and  Jacob  Lagrange 
be  Notified  in  the  public  Prints  to  appear  before  the  Board 
on  the  IIth  day  of  September  next,  and  that  in  default  of 
such  appearance  they  will  incur  the  Penalties  in  the  said 
Act  mentioned  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment    26th  Augf  1778  Aug.7 26. 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  A/r     ,        ,,.      , 
T  ,      A*  ™      i  \       \  Matthew  Visscher 

John  M  Joeeckman  ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  DF  Erastus  Serjeant  respecting 
DF  Tidmarsh  dated  Stockbridge  Aug?^  19^  1778  which 
Letter  is  in  the  following  Words  to  wit  (prout) 

Received  also  a  Letter  upon  the  same  Subject  from 
Timothy  Edwards  Esqr  dated  2Oth  Instant  which  Letter  is 
in  the  following  Words  to  wit  (prout) 

The  order  for  the  removal  of  Henry  Van  Schaack  David 


218  State  of  New  York 


1778  Van  Schaack,  Dirck  Gardinier,  Matthew  Goes  JunF  John  D. 
Goes,  Lambert  Burghart  and  Nicholas  Stevens,  not  having 
been  forwarded  to  them,  Ordered  that  a  Notice  be  forwarded 
to  them  requiring  them  to  be  in  readiness  for  removal  on 
Wednesday  the  ninth  day  of  September  next  and  that 
Notice  be  given  thereof  to  his  Excellency 

John  Scheffer  was  Liberated  upon  entring  into  Recogni- 
zance for  the  Surety  for  his  future  good  behaviour  and 
Monthly  appearance 

himself  in  ..............  £100 

Hendrick  Apple  .........  £100 

[153]  Adjourned  till  the  28th  Inst. 


72  ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  28  Augf   1778 


Au28 

Present  — 


Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  ]        [  Matthew  Visscher 
John  M.  Beeckman  j       \  John  McClung 

Nicholas  Stevens  appeared  before  the  Board  and  prayed 
that  he  might  be  permitted  to  go  to  Canada  and  offered  to 
Swear  that  he  would  not  by  any  means  in  his  power  endeavour 
to  stir  or  set  up  the  Indians  against  the  United  States  of 
America  nor  that  he  himself  would  take  a  part  against  the 
same,  which  he  accordingly  did 

Ordered  therefore  that  his  request  be  granted 

Received  a  Letter  from  Leond  Gansevoort  Tun?  Esq? 
dated  the  26  Instant  which  said  Letter  is  in  the  following 
Words  to  wit  (prout) 

Johan  Jost  Schuyler  appeared  before  the  Board  and  was 
examined  touching  the  Cattle  &°  which  has  been  drove  off 
by  the  Troops  stationed  at  Cherry  Valley,  his  examination 
is  on  file  — 

Ordered  Thereupon  That  Lieu?  Isaac  Bogart  be  requested 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      219 


to  proceed  with  all  Convenient  dispatch  to  Cherry  Valley   AI778« 
and  there  by  all  possible  means  in  his  power  endeavour  to 
obtain  the  Number  of  Cattle  brought  in  by  the  Troops, 
and  the  number  by  them  Killed  for  their  use  — 

Whereas  it  is  Suspected  that  John  Wood  of  S*.  Coyck, 
Cambridge  district  with  an  appearent  View  absconds 
himself  to  avoid  the  force  of  the  late  Act  therefore  Ordered 
that  the  Said  J°  Wood  be  Summoned  to  Appair  before  this 
Board  on  3d  of  Sepf 

[154]  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  29  Augst  1778  A1778 

Present  — 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T      w      T>          i 
r.     .       TT.  t       i  jer.  Van  Rensselaer 

Matthew  Visscher     )        ( 

Paul  Drew  one  of  the  Prisoners  being  very  Sick 
Ordered  that  the  Goaler  remove  him  to  the    Hospital, 
and  that  the  Director  thereof  be  requested  to  inform  this 
Board  from  time  to  time  his  State  of  Health,  that  he  may 
not  have  it  in  his  power  to  make  his  Escape 

Adjourned  till  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  311*  Augf  1778 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  }        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
John  M.  Beeckman  )        "[  Matthew  Visscher 

John  Park,  John  Murrow  and  John  J.  Vossburgh  being 
very  Sick 

Ordered  that  they  be  removed  to  the  Hospital  and  that  the 
Director  thereof  be  requested  to  inform  the  Board  from  time 


220  State  of  New  York 


1778^  to  ame  tne  situation  of  their  Health,  that  provision  may  be 
made  to  prevent  their  escape  — 

Melchert  File  and  his  Son  who  were  some  time  ago 
confined  were  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  — 
Ordered  that  they  be  recommitted  untill  farther  orders  from 
us  or  any  other  three  of  the  Commissioners  — 

[155]  M1?  Debby  Wall  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
applied  for  a  Pass  to  go  to  Unadilla  to  her  Husband  — 

Ordered  that  she  be  informed  that  no  permit  or  Indulgence 
can  be  given  by  the  Board  to  any  part  of  a  Family  whereof 
the  Husband  or  Master  has  so  far  deviated  from  humane 
principles  or  to  associate  with  Barbarians  &  assisting  in 
Imbruing  his  Hands  in  the  Blood  of  Women  and  Children 
and  peaceable  Inhabitants 

Ordered  that  Barnet  Stillwell  and  William  Prendergast 
be  summoned  to  appear  before  the  Board  on  Saturday  the 
fifth  day  of  September  next  in  order  that  the  oath  prescribed 
in  the  late  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State  may  be 
tendered  them  — 

Ordered  That  Cap*  Van  der  Hoof  be  requested  to  cause 
Neal  McNeil  (mentioned  in  Morgans  examination)  to  be 
apprehended  and  fort[h]with  send  him  to  the  keeper  of  the 
Common  Goal  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Sept78i.    Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  Ist  Sept?  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  ^         /  A/T    u       AT      u 

J  (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  /-       i  r>          w     i          T     r 
J  f       (  PetrusWynkoop  Junf 

Isaac  D.  ronda  ) 

Cap*  John  Smith  appeared  before  the  Board  with  William 
Leonard,  Frederick  Felt  Bartholemewis  Van  Valkenburgh, 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      221 


Hendrick  Skinkle  Jim?  Jacob  Livingston  Peter  Plass,  a1*7/8 
Daniel  Price,  Peter  Wheeler  Jacob  Halenbeeck  Jun%  Jurie 
Wheeler,  David  Price  Nathaniel  Morgan,  Bartholemewis 
Hess  Mary  Wheeler  and  Ariantie  Schuck  who  were  sent  up 
Prisoners  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners  lately  sitting  at 
Claverack  Ordered  that  they  be  committed  — 

[156]  Nathaniel  Morgan,  Bartholemewis  Hess,  Philip  Sniffer 
and  Ariantie  Schuck  were  brought  before  the  Board  and  we 
having  examined  them  Ordered  that  they  be  recommitted 

An  Account  of  Cap?  Abraham  Fonda  for  going  to  Barring- 
ton  and  bringing  from  thence  Nathaniel  Morgan  with  a 
Party  of  Men  was  laid  before  the  Board  amounting  to 
£ja2#8  Ordered  that  the  same  be  paid 

A  Letter  was  laid  before  the  Board  from  Ezekiel  Williams 
acknowledging  that  Charles  M^Instry  had  delivered  over  to 
him  Benjamin  Morrison  Ordered  that  in  Consequence 
thereof  the  said  Charles  M'rlnstry  be  discharged  from  his 
Recognizance 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  by  Cap*  John  Smith 
for  Cash  paid  by  him  for  Provision  for  a  Guard  of  Fifteen 
Men  and  Fifteen  Prisoners  from  Claverack  to  Albany 
amounting  to  £6^8  Ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  —  l 

John  Cobham  heretofore  confined  in  Goal  by  Order  of  the 
Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  was  brought 
before  us  and  he  praying  to  be  released  from  his  Confinement 
on  giving  sufficient  Bail  Ordered  that  he  be  set  at  Liberty 
on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  — 

John  Cobham  on  Recognizance  in..  .   £200  —  o  — 
James  Caldwell  his  Bail  in  .........   £200  —  o  — 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  164, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


222  State  of  New  York 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2n~  SeptF  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |       j  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       j        {  Petrus  Wynkoop  JunT 

[157]  M~  Davis  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
from  us  a  Pass  to  go  to  Poughkeepsie  Ordered  that  the 
same  be  given  her  — 

Doctor  James  Latham  who  from  the  Examination  of 
Bartholemewis  Hess  it  appears  has  harboured  Tories  who 
concealed  themselves  in  the  Woods  in  Order  to  escape  the 
Hand  of  Justice  appeared  before  the  Board  at  Claverack  to 
answer  to  the  Charge  alledged  against  him  and  that  Board 
not  having  Time  sufficient  to  hear  his  Defence  bound  him  by 
Recognizance  to  appear  on  the  seventh  Day  of  September 
Instant  before  this  Board  that  we  might  take  his  Case  into 
our  Consideration  and  judge  of  the  same 

James  Latham  was  bound  by  Recogni- 

zance in  ........................  £500  —  o  — 

Walter  Livingston  his  Bail  in  .......  £500  —  o  — 

John  S.  Bradt  and  David  Ralyie  were  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  on  the  Fifth  Day  of  September  Instant 
to  give  their  Testimony  respecting  a  Number  of  Tories  who 
were  lately  at  their  Houses  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq?  which  Letter 
is  in  the  Words  following  (to  wit)  (prout) 

M™  Tice  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested  Per- 
mission for  herself  and  her  Children  to  go  to  Canada  with 
the  next  Flag  Ordered  that  the  Board  will  take  her  Request 
into  Consideration  — 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      223 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  3*?  Septf  1778        ,JJf78, 

Present 

( Isaac  D. 


John  M.  Beekman  ) 

T         •  u  \r      r>        i        r       ~(  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Kenselaer  j         j 

V  Petrus  Wynkoopjunf 

[158]  Martin  Crom  who  was  by  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
lately  sitting  at  Claverack  adjudged  a  Person  of  a  neutral 
and  equivocal  Character  and  was  in  Consequence  of  such 
Adjudication  cited  by  them  to  appear  before  this  Board  on 
this  Day  appeared  and  he  being  tendered  the  Oath  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature  respecting 
Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  requested  Time 
to  consider  of  the  same  till  the  14^  Day  of  this  Month  which 
Request  was  granted  on  his  consenting  that  if  he  did  not 
appear  on  that  Day  his  Non  Attendance  should  be  con- 
strued into  a  Refusal 

Stephen  Bell  the  Goaler  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
informed  us  that  Hendrick  Van  Salsbury  a  Prisoner  confined 
in  Goal  is  very  sick  Ordered  that  he  be  removed  to  the  Hospital 
and  that  Df  Young  be  requested  to  receive  him  into  his  Care — 

Ordered  that  the  Names  of  Henry  Van  Schaack  David 
Van  Schaack,  Cornelius  Van  Schaack,  Lambert  Burghart, 
John  D.  Goes,  Mathew  Goes  ]unT.  Derick  Gardinier  and 
Nicholas  Stevens  be  transmitted  to  his  Excellency  the  Gov- 
ernor that  he  may  if  he  thinks  proper  detain  any  of  the 
said  Persons  for  the  Purpose  of  an  Exchange 

The[n]  Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  4^  SeptT  1778          1778 

Sept.  4. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |       j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 


224  State  of  New  York 

1778          Christian  File  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  was 

oept.  4- 

brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  after  which  Ex- 
amination [159]  he  was  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance 

Christian  File  on  Recognizance  in... .  £50 — o  — 

The  Board  having  been  informed  that  Thomas  Wood 
Junf  keeps  himself  concealed  somewhere  near  Worcester 
in  the  State  of  Massachusett's  Bay  Ordered  that  a  Letter 
be  wrote  to  Levy  Lincoln  EsqF  to  have  the  said  Thomas 
Wood  JunF  instantly  apprehended  if  possible  and  conveyed 
to  us  together  with  John  Snyder  now  confined  in  Worcester 
Goal  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  Doctor  Joseph  Young  be  requested  to 
receive  into  the  Hospital  such  State  Prisoners  as  we  may 
send  him  from  Time  to  Time  and  provide  them  with  such 
Things  as  he  shall  think  necessary  for  their  Nourishment 
and  Recovery  of  their  Health  and  keep  an  accurate  Account 
of  the  whole  which  we  will  pay  either  in  Money  at  the  Cur- 
rent Price  of  the  Articles  expended  or  return  the  like  Quantity 
and  Quality  to  the  issuing  Commissary  of  the  Northern 
Department  as  may  best  suit  the  Director  of  the  Hospital 
for  the  Time  being  — 

John  Kogh  a  German  Deserter  from  Burgoyne's  Army 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested  from  us  a  Pass 
to  go  at  large  in  this  County  which  was  granted  him  Ordered 
that  the  same  be.  made  out 

On  Suggestion  to  the  Board  by  the  Goaler  that  Peter 
Cole  and  his  Wife  confined  in  Goal  are  sick  Ordered  that 
they  be  removed  to  the  Hospital  and  that  Doctor  Young 
be  requested  to  take  them  into  his  Care  — 

[160]  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      225 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  5^  Septr  1778  —    <J778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        |  Mathew  Visscher 

John  S.  Bradt  of  the  Helleberg  who  was  cited  to  appear 
before  us  this  Day  appeared  and  being  examined  and  his 
Answers  to  the  Questions  asked  him  being  satisfactory  he 
was  permitted  to  return  Home  — 

Barnet  Stilwell  having  been  adjudged  in  the  Opinion  of 
this  Board  a  Person  of  an  equivocal  and  neutral  Character 
and  being  in  Consequence  thereof  cited  to  appear  before 
the  Board  this  Day  appeared  and  he  being  tendered  the 
Oath  as  prescribed  in  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legis- 
lature requested  Time  to  consider  of  it  till  next  Saturday 
which  was  granted  him  on  his  agreeing  that  his  Non  Appear- 
ance on  that  Day  should  be  construed  into  a  Refusal  — 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  7^  SeptT  1778  —      1778 

Sept.  7. 

Present 


John  M.  Beekman  "J 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  I       ( 
Hugh  Mitchell  ) 


Alexander  Campbell  of  Schonectady  who  was  adjudged 
in  the  Opinion  of  this  Board  a  Person  of  a  Neutral  and 
equivocal  Character  and  was  in  Consequence  thereof  cited 
to  appear  before  the  Board  appeared  and  the  Oath  being 
tendered  him  as  prescribed  in  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the 
[161]  Legislature  he  refused  to  take  the  same  and  requested 
from  the  Board  Permission  to  go  to  Canada  with  his  Family 


226  State  of  New  York 


1778      which  Request  was  granted  him    Ordered  that  he  prepare 
himself  to  be  removed  on  the  shortest  Notice  — 

Melchert  File  who  was  lately  confined  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  finding  the  Charges  against  him  rather 
trivial  have  thought  proper  to  eliberate  him  on  his  entering 
into  Recognizance  with  sufficient  Sureties  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 

Melchert  File  on  Recognizance  in.  . .  £100 —  o  — 
Christopher  Tillman  his  Bail  .  .in. . .  £100 —  o  — 
Lodiwick  Snyder  also  his  Bail  .in.. .  £100 —  o  — 
John  D.  Goes  one  of  the  Persons  who  has  refused  to  take 
the  Oath  of  Allegiance  as  prescribed  by  the  Act  and  was  to 
have  been  removed  within  the  Enemies  Lines  in  Conse- 
quence of  such  Refusal;  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
informed  us  that  he  was  bound  by  a  Recognizance  in  the 
Sum  of  £50  —  to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  Oyer  and 
Terminer  to  give  his  Testimony  concerning  a  Prisoner  now 
in  Confinement  and  who  is  then  to  be  tried  and  as  it  appears 
to  us  that  his  Evidence  will  materially  affect  the  Life  of 
the  said  Prisoner  and  we  being  unwilling  to  deprive  him  of 
the  Benefit  of  so  favorable  a  Witness  do  order  that  the 
Removal  of  the  said  John  D.  Goes  be  respited  till  he  shall 
be  discharged  from  his  Recognizance  by  the  Court  — 

Archibald  McKellop  who  was  some  time  since  confined 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  to  us  that  the 
Charges  alledged  against  him  are  but  trivial  [162]  There- 
fore ordered  that  he  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  his 
entering  into  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his 
future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  which  was 
done  accordingly 

Archibald  MfKellop  on  Recognizance 

in £100- 

Charles  Martin  his  Bail  in £100  —    — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      227 


Dr  James  Latham  who  was  bound  by  Recognizance  to 
appear  before  the  Board  on  this  Day  appeared  and  we 
having  taken  the  Case  of  the  said  James  Latham  into  con- 
sideration and  finding  that  he  is  guilty  of  no  Crime  for  which 
a  Corporeal  Punishment  can  be  inflicted  on  him  do  adjudge 
that  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  as  prescribed  by  the  Act  to  be 
administered  to  Persons  of  neutral  &  equivocal  Characters 
be  tendered  him  which  was  accordingly  done  and  he  re- 
quested Time  to  consider  of  it  till  the  2  Is*  Instant  which 
was  granted  him  — 

It  appearing  from  the  Information  of  the  Goaler  that 
Janet  Clement  who  was  lately  confined  for  going  to  the 
Savages  is  dangerously  111  and  James  Boyd,  James  Bele 
and  James  Agen  appearing  before  us  and  offering  to  becom 
Sureties  for  the  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance 
of  the  said  Janet  Clement  Ordered  therefore  that  she  be 
discharged  from  Confinement  on  their  entering  into  Re- 
cognizance for  the  above  Purpose 

James  Boyd  on  Recognizance  as  Bail 

for  Janet  Clement  ...............  £100  —  o  — 

James  Bell  as  D?  ..................   £100  —  o  — 

James  Agen  as  D?  .................  £100  —  o  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaack  David  Van 
Schaack  and  others  dated  28^  August  1778  which  [163] 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

William  Muer  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
from  us  a  Pass  to  White  Creek  which  was  granted  him  on 
his  producing  a  Certificate  from  Cap*  Jacob  Lansing  of 
his  Attachment  to  the  American  Cause  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 


228  State  of  New  York 


Se?t788.    ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  8^  SeptF  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  j         (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Ordered  that  Instructions  be  made  out  for  Col!  John 
Visscher  who  is  appointed  by  this  Board  to  superintend 
the  Removal  of  Henry  Van  Schaack,  David  Van  Schaack, 
Lambert  Burghart,  Mathew  Goes  Junf  and  Dirk  Gardinier 
of  the  District  of  Kinderhook  who  have  refused  to  take  the 
Oath  prescribed  by  the  Act  lately  passed  by  the  Legislature 
which  said  Instructions  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout) 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Col!  John  Viss- 
cher thirty  Dollars  to  be  by  him  accounted  for  to  this 
Board  — 

Ordered  that  Instructions  be  made  out  for  Nanning 
Visscher  who  is  appointed  by  this  Board  to  superintend  the 
Removal  of  Nicholas  Stevens  &  Archibald  Campbell  of 
Schonectady  who  have  refused  to  take  the  Oath  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  —  which  said  Instructions  are  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

[164]  Barnet  Stillwell  who  appeared  before  the  Board 
last  Saturday  according  to  a  Citation  served  upon  him  and 
being  tendered  [the  oath]  prescribed  by  the  Act  he  requested 
Time  to  consider  of  it,  and  he  again  appearing  before  us 
this  Day  declared  his  Readiness  to  take  the  said  Oath 
Ordered  that  the  same  be  administred  to  him,  and  that 
a  Certificate  thereof  be  given  him  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      229 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  9^  SeptF  1778 —    < 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  "i        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Hugh  Alexander  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  in 
Goal  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  and  no 
special  Charges  having  been  exhibited  before  us  against 
him  Therefore  Ordered  that  the  said  Hugh  Alexander  be 
discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into 
Recognizance  with  a  Sufficient  Security  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Hugh  Alexander  on  Recognizance. . .  £100  —    — 
Arent  Vedder  his  Bail  in £100  —    — 

Nathaniel  Morgan  was  again  brought  before  the  Board 
and  questioned  with  Respect  to  sundry  Articles  by  him 
stolen  and  he  having  returned  satisfactory  Answers  thereto 
Ordered  that  the  said  Nathaniel  Morgan  be  recommitted  — 

[165]  Received  a  Letter  from  Col?  John  Harper  dated  at 
Caughnawaga  7*:h  September  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the 
following  Words,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 
Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  10^  Sept?  1778 —      1778 

Sept.  10. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  f       \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  M^Clung  Esq'  dated  4*.h 
September  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout) 


230  State  of  New  York 


1778          Application  was  made  to  the  Board  in  Behalf  of  Hendrick 
Sept.  10. 

Yager  a  Prisoner  confined  in  Goal  by  Virtue  of  an  Order 
from  us  to  request  us  on  Account  of  the  bad  State  of  Health 
of  the  said  Hendrick  Yager  to  withdraw  our  Mittimus  in 
Order  that  the  said  Hendrick  Yager  might  then  be  brought 
before  Judge  Yates  and  bailed  and  we  having  taken  the  same 
into  Consideration  Ordered  that  the  Mittimus  be  withdrawn 

Ordered  that  Jacob  Vosburgh  who  some  Time  since 
became  Security  for  the  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance  of  Peter  Mesick  Junr  deliver  up  the  said  Peter 
Mesick  Jun^  fort[h]with  on  Pain  of  being  immediately  prose- 
cuted on  his  Recognizance  and  further  ordered  that  the  said 
Jacob  Vosburgh  be  served  with  a  Copy  of  this  Resolution 
and  that  it  be  inclosed  in  a  Letter  to  Major  Isaac  Goes  at 
Kinderhook  requesting  him  to  have  the  same  served  upon  the 
said  Jacob  Vosburgh  — 

[166]  Lieu*  Isaac  Bogert  who  by  a  Request  of  this  Board 
of  the  28^  of  August  last  went  to  Cherry  Valley  in  Order  to 
obtain  an  Account  of  the  Cattle  taken  at  the  Butter  Nutts 
and  brought  to  Cherry  Valley  by  a  Party  of  the  Continental 
Troops,  and  of  the  Number  of  those  they  have  killed  for  their 
own  Use,  returned  this  Day  and  made  a  Report  which  was 
committed  to  writing  and  attested  to  by  the  said  Isaac 
Bogert  in  the  Presence  of  John  M.  Beekman  Esqf  and  is 
in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — l 

Adjourned  till  9  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  n  Sept?  1778  — 
Sept.  zi. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |        j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     )        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1750,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       231 


Application  was  made  to  the  Board  by  Robert  Van  Deusen  • *7?8 
of  Kinderhook  in  Behalf  of  Lowrence  Scharp  a  Prisoner 
confined  in  Goal  by  Virtue  of  an  Order  of  three  of  the 
Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  who  requested  us  to  with- 
draw our  Mittimus  in  Order  that  he  might  then  be  brought 
before  Judge  by  a  Writ  of  Habeas  Corpus  for  the  Purpose 
of  being  let  to  Bail  and  we  having  taken  the  same  into  our 
Consideration  do  order  that  the  said  Mittimus  be  withdrawn 
and  that  the  Sheriff  be  ordered  to  discharge  him  the  said 
Lowrence  Scharp  from  his  Confinement 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  at  Poughkeepsie 
which  is  dated  5*:h  September  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  by  the  Hands  of  the  Reverend  Doctor  Livingston 
the  sum  of  Five  hundred  Pounds  being  the  [167]  One  half 
of  the  Money  drawn  for  by  this  Board  on  the  Treasurer 
Ordered  that  the  said  Five  hundred  Pounds  be  delivered  into 
the  Hands  of  the  Secretary  who  is  required  to  take  Charge 
of  the  same  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Governor  and  that 
Lieutenant  Isaac  Bogert's  Affidavit  be  inclosed  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)1 

Then  Adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany    14^   Septf   1778    gA^7,^ 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r>»   T?     j 
i,    .        TT-      i          r       1  Isaac  D.  .bonda 
Mathew  Visscher     )         ( 

John  Lilley  alias  dictus  James  MfCormick  who  was  by 
an  Order  of  a  Court-Martial  confined  in  Goal  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  we  having  examined  him  do  order 

1  Ibid. 


232  State  of  New  York 


s  JI778  that  the  said  John  Lilley  be  discharged  from  his  Confine- 
ment and  that  a  Pass  be  given  him  to  go  to  Hartford  in  the 
State  of  Connecticut  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Col?  Frederick  Fisher  which  is 
dated  the  23?  August  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Whereas  General  Stark  has  discharged  from  Confinement 
a  Negro  Man  named  Prince  as  being  a  Prisoner  of  War  and 
in  his  Discharge  to  the  Sheriff  has  set  forth  that  he  has  done 
it  by  Consent  of  this  Board  and  as  no  such  Consent  was  at 
any  Time  obtained  from  us  Ordered  therefore  that  as  the 
said  Negro  Man  Prince  is  in  no  Wise  under  the  Directions 
of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  we  cannot  give  our 
Assent  or  Dissent  to  his  Discharge  from  [168]  the  Custody 
of  the  Sheriff,  and  that  the  Sheriff  be  immediately  served 
with  a  Copy  of  this  Order 

Received  a  Letter  from  Caleb  Stark  Brigade  Major  to  Gen- 
eral Stark  informing  us  that  two  Men  Inhabitants  of  this  State 
who  have  deserted  from  Canada  are  confined  in  the  Guard 
House  and  that  by  applying  to  the  General  we  might  have 
them  delivered  over  to  us  Ordered  that  the  General  be 
immediately  requested  to  deliver  over  the  said  Prisoners  — 

Isaac  Lawson  and  Robert  Harbert  the  two  Prisoners 
delivered  over  to  us  by  General  Stark  were  brought  before 
the  Board  and  examined  Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made 
out  to  the  Sheriff  to  receive  them  into  his  Custody 

Jeremiah  Marinus  with  three  other  Men  as  a  Guard 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  delivered  as  Prisoners 
Adam  Paps  and  Rudolph  Paps  who  stand  severally  charged 
with  having  advised  a  Number  of  Men  to  go  to  the  Indians 
and  have  themselves  gone  Part  of  the  Way  with  them  — 
Ordered  that  they  be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made 
out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take  them  into  his  Custody  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      233 


Received  a  Letter  from  M™  Gumming  informing;  us  that      J778 

Sent    14. 

a  Report  prevails  in  her  Neighbourhood  that  a  Party  of 
Rangers  are  coming  that  Way  to  apprehend  disaffected 
Persons  and  secure  their  Property  and  as  Mf  Gumming  is 
confined  in  Goal  for  Disaffection  is  apprehensive  they  may 
disturb  her  and  her  Family  and  take  away  their  Property 
Ordered  that  this  Board  grant  a  Protection  to  the  said  M" 
Gumming  and  that  all  Officers  both  Civil  and  Milatary  & 
all  other  Persons  whatsoever  be  strictly  enjoyned  and  for- 
bid not  [169]  to  molest  the  said  Mf?  Gumming  or 
Family  either  in  Person  or  Property  on  Pain  of  being  prose- 
cuted with  the  utmost  Severity  of  the  Law  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  15*.**  SeptT  1778 —      1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  \        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     j        (  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun' 

It  having  appeared  to  us  by  the  Information  of  Nathaniel 
Morgan  that  Johan  George  Fought  and  Coenradt  Johnson 
were  knowing  to  the  Robberies  committed  by  the  said 
Nathaniel  Morgan  and  others  Ordered  that  they  be  severally 
cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  on  the  Eighteenth  Day  of 
September  Instant  — 

Mathew  Aerson  laid  before  the  Board  his  Account  for 
ferrying  across  the  River  Cap*  John  Ryley  and  the  Company 
of  Rangers  under  his  Command  at  different  Times  amount- 
ing to  ;£8/yi7/y4  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — l 

Ordered  that  Jeremiah  Marinus  bring  before  the  Board 
as  soon  as  possible  the  two  Persons  who  can  give  Evidence 

X 
1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.   40,   p.    162, 

State  Comptroller's  office,  signed  "  Matth      Arsin." 


234  State  of  New  York 


1778  against  Adam  Paps  and  Rudolph  Paps  and  that  a  Copy  of 
this  Resolution  be  sent  to  him  — 

Ann  Lane  and  Ann  Liddle  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  requested  Permission  to  go  with  their  Families  to 
Canada  Ordered  that  they  be  informed  that  the  Board  will 
take  their  Request  into  Consideration  — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Isaac  D.  Fonda  EsqT 
one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  the  Sum  of  £40^0  to 
be  by  him  accounted  for  to  this  Board  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  next  Thursday  Morning  — 


1778          [jyo]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

17'  Albany  17*?  SeptT  1778  — 

Present 

Tohn  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          i-»   T?     j 
*/r    i        v     u  1  Isaac  D-  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  Lieu?  Col!  William  Butler  dated 
Schoharie  i^  September  1778  wherein  he  requests  us  to 
release  from  his  Confinement  John  Service  on  Account  of 
the  helpless  Situation  of  his  Mother  the  Widow  Service, 
which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

In  Consequence  of  the  above  Letter  John  Service  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  after  being  examined  he  was 
discharged  from  Prison  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance 
with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance  — 

John  Service  on   Recognizance  in..   £100  —  o  — 
Jacob  Creef  of  Johnstown  his  Bail  also 

in  .............................  £100  —  o  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Michael  Van  Der  Cooke 
requesting  him  to  inform  us  as  soon  as  possible  whether 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      235 


the  Citation  which  was  sent  with  him  for  William  Fender-      1778 
grast  [sic]  has  been  served  — 

Orderd  that  Col'  Lewis  Deputy  Quarter  Master  General 
be  requested  to  furnish  Wood  for  the  Use  of  the  Prisoners 
confined  in  Goal,  and  that  we  will  pay  for  the  same  in  Money 
or  return  him  a  like  Quantity  of  Wood  when  he  shall  demand 
the  same  from  us  — 

Martin  Crom  who  on  his  Appearance  before  us  on  the 
3?  Instant  requested  Time  till  the  14.^  to  consider  of  the 
Oath  (as  prescribed  in  the  Act  respecting  Persons  of  neutral 
and  equivocal  Characters)  then  tendered  him,  and  agreed 
that  his  Non  Appearance  on  that  Day  [171]  should  be 
construed  into  a  Refusal  to  take  the  said  Oath  and  the  said 
Martin  Crom  not  having  appeared  on  that  Day  according  to 
Agreement  Therefore  ordered  that  his  Refusal  to  take 
the  said  Oath  be  entered  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 
Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  18^  Septr  1778 —      1778 

Sept.  1 8. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (ATI        IT-      i 
i          _.    „  >•       «  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  JD.  fonda       )        ( 

John  Wykoff  who  was  some  Time  ago  confined  in  Goal 
for  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  at  the  Solicitation  of  several  of  his  Friends 
permitted  to  go  at  large  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance 
with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance 

John  Wykoff  on  Recognizance  in..  £100  —  o  —  o 

Benjamin  Rodgers  appeared  before  the  Board  and  re- 
quested from  us  a  Pass  to  go  to  Little  East  Hosack  at  which 


236  State  of  New  York 


1778      Place  he  informs  us  he  intends  to  reside      Ordered  that  a 
Sept.  18.  . 

rass  be  given  him  — 

On  Suggestion  of  the  Goaler  Stephen  Bell  that  Jacob 
Halenbeeck  Jun*  is  sick  it  is  ordered  that  the  said  Jacob 
Halenbeeck  Jun?  be  brought  before  the  Board  and  that 
Doctor  Samuel  Stringer  be  sent  for  to  examine  him 

Upon  the  Report  of  the  said  Samuel  Stringer  that  the  said 
Jacob  Halenbeeck  ]unr.  is  very  sick  and  that  by  his  remaining 
in  Confinement  his  Life  will  be  endangered  It  is  ordered 
that  the  said  Jacob  Halenbeeck  Jun*  be  released  from  his 
Confinement  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  with  [172]  a 
sufficient  Surety  to  remain  within  the  House  of  Samuel 
Pruyn  in  this  City 

Jacob  Halenbeeck  Jun?  on  Recogni- 
zance in £300  —  — 

Jacob  Ten  Eyck  of  the  City  of  Albany 
Yeoman  his  Bail £30°  —  — 

Captain  John  Ryley  laid  before  the  Board  a  Pay  Roll  of 
the  Company  of  Rangers  under  his  Command  from  the  Time 
of  their  Inlistment  being  the  ii*£  May  1778  till  20^  Day  of 
July  now  last  past  amounting  in  the  whole  to  £460^18^4 
and  the  Money  heretofore  advanced  him  being  substracted 
therefrom  there  remains  a  Ballance  due  of  £  [blank]  Or- 
dered that  the  same  be  paid  to  him  — 

Then  Adjourned^  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  ig^  Septr  1778 — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |  j  lsaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     )  (. 

Received  a  Letter  from  Robert  Benson  EsqT  private  Sec- 
retary to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  which  is  dated  the  17^ 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      237 


September  1778  informing  us  that  Henry  Cuyler  is  exchanged 
for  Stephen  Lush,  James  Dole  for  Abraham  Mabie  and 
Alexander  White  for  Cornelius  Van  Tassel  and  that  it  is  the 
Desire  of  the  Governor  that  they  should  be  released  from 
their  Confinement  on  their  Parole  —  In  Consequence  of  the 
above  Letter  it  is  Ordered  that  the  said  Henry  Cuyler,  James 
Dole  and  Alexander  White  be  immediately  discharged  from 
their  Confinement 

Received  another  Letter1  from  Robert  Benson  Esqr  dated 
16^  Instant  which  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

[173]  Coenradt  Johnson  who  was  cited  to  appear  before 
the  Board  this  Day  appeared  and  he  being  interrogated  as  to 
the  Charges  alledged  against  him  by  Nathaniel  Morgan 
made  such  satisfactory  Answers  that  he  was  permitted  to 
return  Home  — 

It  having  been  suggested  to  the  Board  by  the  Goaler  that 
M"  Cole  is  very  111  and  that  her  Life  is  greatly  endangered 
by  Reason  of  her  Confinement  —  Ordered  that  she  have 
Permission  to  remove  to  some  House  in  this  City  until  she 
shall  again  have  recovered  her  Health  — 

Then  adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2is.t  SeptT  1778 —      1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T         r\  T-     j 
;,    .        x7.      ,         r       1  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscner    }        ( 

M^s  Wrag  of  Fort  Miller,  Catharina  Rederpach  and  Mary 
England  whose  Husbands  are  at  this  Time  with  the  Enemy 
at  Canada  made  Application  to  the  Board  for  Permission  to 
go  to  Canada  with  their  Families  and  it  having  appeared  to 
us  that  those  Women  are  become  chargeable  to  the  Districts 

i  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1761,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library 


238  State  of  New  York 


1778  in  which  they  severally  reside  and  that  they  together  with 
their  Families  are  subsisted  at  the  public  Expence  Ordered 
that  on  Account  of  the  Reasons  above  assigned  it  be  recom- 
mended to  General  Stark  to  send  a  Flag  to  Canada  with 
them 

Dr  James  Latham  who  appeared  before  the  Board 
on  the  7t.h  Instant  and  was  then  tendered  the  Oath  by 
the  Act  of  the  Legislature  prescribed  to  be  taken  by  Per- 
sons [1/4]  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  and  who 
requested  Time  till  this  Day  to  consider  of  the  said  Oath 
again  appeared  and  the  Oath  being  again  tendered  him 
he  requested  some  further  Time  to  consider  of  it  which 
was  allowed  him  — 

Received  two  Letters  the  One  from  Robert  R.  Livingston 
Esqr  which  is  dated  13^  Instant  and  the  other  from  James 
Duane  Esq?  both  which  Letters  are  concerning  Dr  James 
Latham  and  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Cornelius  Groesbeck  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  for 
serving  Citations  on  several  Persons  at  Niscutaw  and  at  the 
Helleberg  amounting  to  £4^2  Ordered  that  the  same  be 
paid  — * 

It  has  been  represented  to  the  Commissioners  that  divers 
of  the  Subjects  of  this  State  lately  residing  at  Niscuthaw  and 
other  Places  in  this  County  have  lately  gone  over  to  and 
joined  the  Enemy  Therefore  resolved  that  it  be  and  it  is 
hereby  most  earnestly  recommended  to  all  Officers  of  Militia 
in  this  County  forthwith  to  make  a  Return  to  this  Board  of  the 
Names  of  the  Persons  within  their  respective  Beats  that  have 
lately  gone  over  and  joined  the  Enemy  — 

The  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1  The  original  voucher,  which  gives  the  names  of  the  seven  persons  on 
whom  a  summons  was  served,  is  hi  Revolittionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      239 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  22"d  Septf  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )         I  A/r    ,        w.      , 
:;  c       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda        )        ( 

In  Consequence  of  a  Letter1  received  by  Major  Lush  from 
his  Excellency  the  Governor  wherein  he  desires  that  [175] 
Henry  Cuyler,  James  Dole  and  Alexander  White  may  be 
instantly  removed  down  to  Poughkeepsie  which  Letter  having 
been  laid  before  us  It  is  ordered  thereupon  that  the  said 
Henry  Cuyler,  James  Dole  and  Alexander  White  set  off  to 
Morrow  for  Poughkeepsie  and  there  deliver  themselves  up 
to  the  Persons  administring  the  Government  of  this  State  — 

Nicholas  Wheeler  appeared  before  the  Board  and  offered 
to  become  Security  for  Peter  Wheeler  a  Prisoner  now  con- 
fined in  Goal  and  it  having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Peter 
Wheeler  is  at  this  Time  sick,  it  is  therefore  Ordered  that  the 
said  Peter  Wheeler  be  released  from  Confinement  on  the  said 
Nicholas  Wheeler's  entering  into  Recognizance  for  the 
Appearance  of  the  said  Peter  Wheeler  when  called  for  and 
his  future  good  Behaviour  — 

Nicholas  Wheeler  of  the  Manor  of 
Livingston  Farmer  Bail  for  Peter 
Wheeler  in £100  —  o  —  o 

Philip  Viele  and  Peter  Rode  both  of  Livingston's  Manor 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  offered  to  become  Sureties 
for  Daniel  Price  a  Prisoners  now  confined  and  it  having 
appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Daniel  Price  has  lately  received 
a  Fall  on  his  Breast  which  it  is  supposed  will  be  the  Occasion 
of  his  Death  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Daniel 
Price  be  released  from  his  Confinement  on  the  said  Philip 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1776,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


240  State  of  New  York 


1778  Viele  and  Peter  Rode's  entering  into  Recognizance  for  the 
Appearance  of  the  said  Daniel  Price  at  the  next  Court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer  and  General  Goal  Delivery  to  be  held 
at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  on  the  29^  Day  of  this  Instant 
Month  of  September  — 

Philip  Viele  Bail  for  Daniel  Price  in  £200  —  o  —  o 
Peter   Rode   also   Bail   for   Daniel 

Price  in £200  —  o  —  o 

[176]  Ordered  that  a  Certificate1  be  made  out  and  trans- 
mitted to  John  Morin  Scott  Esq^  Secretary  of  the  State  of 
New  York  certifying  that  in  Pursuance  and  by  Virtue  of 
of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  entitled  "An  Act  more  effectually 
to  prevent  the  Mischiefs  arising  from  the  Influence  and 
Example  of  Persons  of  equivocal  and  suspected  Characters 
in  this  State  we  did  cause  to  come  before  us  David  Van 
Schaack  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook  on  the  thirteenth  Day 
of  August  last  Nicholas  Stevens  of  the  Township  of  Scho- 
nectady  on  the  Fifteenth  Day  of  August  last  Henry  Van 
Schaack  on  the  Seventeenth  Day  of  August  last  and  Lambert 
Burghart  of  the  District  of  Kinderhook  on  the  twenty  first 
Day  of  August  last,  Alexander  Campbell  of  Schonectady  on 
the  Seventh  Day  of  September  Instant  and  Martin  Crom  of 
Claverack  District  on  the  Fourteenth  Day  of  September  In- 
stant and  offered  to  administer  to  them  respectively  the  Oath 
in  the  said  Act  prescribed  which  they  severally  refused  to  take 

Received  a  Letter2  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton 
which  is  dated  2Ot:h  Instant  wherein  he  again  informs  us  (in 
Concurrence  with  what  his  Private  Secretary  Robert  Benson 
EsqT  had  wrote  us  in  a  Letter  dated  16^  Instant)  that  it  is 
his  Desire  that  Henry  Van  Schaack  David  Van  Schaack, 

1  In  New  York  Colonial  MSS.,  vol.  101,  p.  149,  archives  of  New  York 
State  Library. 

» In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1777,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      241 


Lambert  Burghart,  John  D.  Goes,  Mathew  Goes  Jim?  and      X778 
Dirck  Gardinier  should  be  immediately  confined  in  Goal 
and  detained  for  an  Exchange  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  the  Request  in  the  above  Letter  be  complied 
with  and  that  the  said  Henry  Van  Schaack  David  Van 
Schaack  Lambert  Burghart,  John  D.  Goes,  Mathew  Goes 
Junr  and  Dirk  Gardinier  be  put  in  close  Confinement 

[177]  Henry  Van  Schaack  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
laid  before  us  a  Note  directed  to  us  from  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  in  the  following  Words  —  "The  Commissioners  at 
Albany  on  the  Arrival  of  Mr  Henry  Van  Schaack  at  that  Place 
will  please  to  take  his  Parole  and  permit  him  to  repair  to  this 
Place  to  deliver  himself  up  to  the  Person  administring  the 
Government  without  Delay 

Ordered  in  Compliance  with  the  above  that  Henry  Van 
Schaack' s  Parole  be  taken  which  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Jurie  Pater  and  Regina  Parkerson  appeared  before  the 
Board  at  Witnesses  against  Adam  Paps  and  Rudolph  Paps 
and  the  said  Jurie  Pater  and  Regina  Parkerson  having  been 
examined  were  discharged  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  — 
Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  24^  Sept?  1778  —      1778 

Sept.  24* 

Present 

Tohn  M.  Beekman  }        f  T         T^  T?     4 
;,    _  [•       4  Isaac  D.Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  General  Stark  wherein  he  informs 
us  that  he  has  in  Confinement  as  a  Prisoner  who  is  an  In- 
habitant of  this  State  named  Alexander  Anderson  who  was 
taken  and  sent  down  to  him  by  Coll  Aden  Ordered  that  the 


242  State  of  New  York 


„  J778      General  be  requested  to  deliver  into  our  Hands  the  said 
Sept.  24.  n 

Alexander  Anderson  — 

Alexander  Anderson  having  been  by  Order  of  General 
Stark  delivered  over  to  us  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the 
Goaler  to  take  the  said  Alexander  Anderson  into  his 
Custody — 

[178]  Received  a  Letter  from  Dr  Joseph  Young  informing 
us  that  Paul  Drew  who  was  some  Time  since  sent  to  the 
Hospital  is  so  well  recovered  from  his  Illness  that  he  may  with 
Safety  be  again  confined  Ordered  that  the  said  Paul  Drew 
be  immediately  sent  for  and  recommitted  to  Goal  — 

Adam  Paps  and  Rudolph  Paps  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  nothing  special  having  appeared  against  them 
from  the  Examinations  of  Jurie  Pater  and  Regina  Parkerson 
who  were  produced  as  Evidences  against  them  It  is  there- 
fore ordered  that  they  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on 
their  entering  into  Recognizance  for  future  good  Behaviour 
and  Appearance  when  called  for  — 

Adam  Paps  on  Recognizance ...  in ...  £100  —  o  — 
Rudolph  Paps  on  Recognizance  in —  £100  —  o  — 

Ordered  that  a  Notice  be  sent  down  to  Samuel  Louden  to 
be  inserted  in  his  next  News  Paper  notifying  Jacob  Legrange 
of  the  Norman's  Kill  and  John  Wood  and  William  Pender- 
grast  [sic]  of  Cambridge  District  to  appear  before  this  Board 
on  the  Tenth  Day  of  October  next  at  the  City  Hall  of  the 
City  of  Albany  for  the  Purpose  of  administring  to  them 
respectively  the  Oath  as  prescribed  in  the  Act  of  Legislature 
entitled  an  Act  more  effectually  to  prevent  the  Mischiefs 
arising  from  the  Influence  and  Example  of  Persons  of  equivo- 
cal and  neutral  Characters  in  this  State 

Adjourned  till  2  OClock  to  Morrow  Afternoon 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      243 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  25t.h  Septr  1778  —      J778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T         T-V  T-      i 
*.    .        T_.      ,         >       •{  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher    )        ( 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  Board  that  Jacob 
[179]  Johannis  Vrooman  is  in  Custody  of  the  Sheriff  of  Tryon 
County  and  that  the  said  Jacob  Johannis  Vrooman  is  very 
desirous  of  having  a  Hearing  before  us  It  is  therefore  ordered 
that  the  said  Sheriff  of  Tryon  County  deliver  the  said  Jacob 
Johannis  Vrooman  into  the  Hands  of  Simon  Job?.  Vrooman 
together  with  the  Cause  of  his  Caption  and  Detention  as 
specifyed  in  the  Mittimus  whereon  he  stands  committed 
and  that  he  be  brought  before  us  on  the  [blank]  Day  of 
[blank]  that  we  may  take  the  Cause  of  the  Committment  of 
the  said  Jacob  Joh?.  Vrooman  into  our  Consideration  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Peter  Cantine  Junf  Esq?  which  is 
dated  S*.11  Day  of  September  Instant  wherein  he  requests  us 
to  grant  Permission  to  David  Knap  and  Daniel  Annin  (who 
have  been  great  Sufferers  by  the  late  Robberies  in  Dutchess 
County)  to  examine  certain  of  the  Prisoners  in  Goal  respecting 
the  Places  where  they  have  secreted  stolen  Effects  Ordered 
that  the  said  David  Knap  and  Daniel  Annin  have  free  Access  to 
such  Prisoners  as  they  shall  conceive  it  necessary  to  examine  — 

William  Smith  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  appeared  be- 
fore the  Board  and  complained  of  Samuel  Rock  as  being  a  Per- 
son inimical  to  the  American  Cause  and  dangerous  to  the  Safety 
of  the  State  Ordered  that  Major  BarentStaats  be  requested 
to  have  the  said  Samuel  Rock  apprehended  and  sent  to  us  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter1  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  Governor 
Clinton  informing  him  of  the  Cause  why  the  Notice  of  the 
[180]  Removal  of  Henry  Van  Schaack  and  others  was  not 

'In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1791,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


244  State  of  New  York 


1778  sooner  transmitted  him  and  also  assigning  a  Reason  why  the 
Flag  passed  Poughkeepsie  without  stopping  to  know  his 
Excellencys  Pleasure  concerning  the  said  Persons  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

^1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2$^  Septf  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        )  A,    ,       ,,.      , 
•L  >       >  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  U.  Jbonda        )        ) 

Ordered  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  Volckert  Dawson 
to  receive  in  his  Custody  David  Van  Schaack,  Mathew  Goes 
JunF,  Lambert  Burghart  and  Dirk  Gardinier  and  closely 
confine  them  — 

Rudolph  Schoonmaker  of  the  German  Flatts  appeared 
before  the  Board  and  complained  that  Jurie  Wever  with  a 
Party  of  Men  had  seized  all  his  Effects  on  Pretence  of  their 
being  forfieted  to  the  State,  the  Board  having  taken  the  above 
Complaint  into  Consideration  do  order  that  the  said  Jurie 
Wever  keep  in  his  Hands  the  said  Effects  until  he  shall  re- 
ceive Orders  from  any  three  of  the  Commissioners  of  Con- 
spiracies and  if  he  shall  presume  to  dispose  of  the  same  or 
any  Part  thereof  he  may  depend  upon  being  prosecuted  with 
the  utmost  Rigour  of  the  Law 

Ordered  that  a  Parole  be  drawn  up  and  signed  by  Henry 
Cuyler,  James  Dole  and  Alexander  White  which  Parole  is  in 
the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  a  Letter1  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  Governor 
Clinton  inclosing  Copies  of  the  Paroles2  of  Henry  [181] 
Cuyler,  James  Dole  and  Alexander  White  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1809,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 
•  Ibid. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      245 


Ordered  that  Instructions  be  made  out  to  Captain  Edward 
Willet  to  take  into  his  Care  Henry  Cuyler,  James  Dole,  and 
Alexander  White  which  Instructions  are  in  the  Words  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  29^  Septf  1778  —   se\7&2 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  •»*    i_      TT*     i_ 
::         _^   „      .          >•       x  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  U.  ronda       )        ( 

Hugh  Alexander  who  was  taken  above  Schohary  in  Com- 
pany with  Janet  Clement  laid  before  us  a  Number  of  Cer- 
tificates from  Persons  well  attached  to  the  American  Cause 
from  which  it  appears  that  the  said  Hugh  Alexander  is  a  Per- 
son who  has  in  many  Instances  evinced  his  Attachment  to 
the  Cause  of  America  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  a  Pass 
be  granted  him  to  go  to  Schohary  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  James  M^Master  which  is  dated 
the  25t.h  Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to 
wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  General  Stark  informing  us  that 
three  Prisoners  who  are  Inhabitants  of  this  State  are  con- 
fined in  the  Main  Guard  whose  Names  are  William  Gorden, 
James  Parks,  and  John  Chitchiverell  who  have  been  taken 
and  sent  down  to  him  from  the  Westward,  and  who  he  will 
deliver  over  to  us  provided  we  apply  for  them 

Ordered  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Letter  that  the  Gen- 
eral be  requested  to  deliver  over  to  us  the  said  [182]  William 
Gorden,  James  Parks  and  John  Chitchiverell  and  that  a 
Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  them  into  his 
Custody  and  closely  confine  them  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 


246  State  of  New  York 


1  t78o    ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  3Oth  Septr  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     j       |  Cornelius  Humfrey 

Burnet  Miller  Esqf  from  Dutchess  County  appeared 
before  the  Board  and  informed  us  that  some  Time  in  the 
latter  End  of  July  he  was  robbed  by  a  Party  of  Men  and  had 
Goods  taken  from  him  to  a  great  Amount  Part  of  which 
Goods  he  informed  Us  he  had  heard  were  at  present  in  the 
Possession  of  Captain  Jacob  De  Forest  who  had  found  them 
with  Eseck  Mosier  when  he  was  apprehended  Ordered 
that  the  said  Captain  Jacob  De  Forest  deliver  such  of  the 
said  Goods  to  the  said  Burnet  Miller  as  he  shall  by  proper 
Descriptions  prove  to  be  his  Property 

Received  a  Letter  from  Egbert  Benson  &  Peter  Cantine 
Jun*  Esqf?  dated  26t.h  Instant  wherein  they  request  us  to  per- 
mit Richard  Hart  the  Bearer  of  the  said  Letter  to  examin[e] 
Eseck  Mosier  respecting  a  certain  Silas  Duel  who  is  con- 
fined in  Dutchess  County  Goal  on  an  Examination  taken 
from  the  said  Eseck  Mosier  when  he  was  first  apprehended 
wherein  he  charges  the  said  Silas  Duel  with  having  been 
privy  to  the  Robberies  by  him  committed  Ordered  that  the 
said  Richard  Hart  have  Leave  to  examine  the  said  Eseck 
Mosier  and  that  John  M.  Beekman  EsqF  One  of  the  Mem- 
bers of  this  Board  and  also  a  Justice  of  the  Peace  be  present 
at  such  Examination  — 

[183]  Ordered  that  Lieu*  Col!  Barent  Staats  do  make 
a  Return  to  this  Board  as  soon  as  possible  of  all  such  Persons 
belonging  to  his  Regiment  as  have  gone  off  to  the  Enemy  and 
are  at  this  Time  absent  from  their  respective  Places  of 
Abode  — 

Ordered  that  Mathew  Visscher  one  of  the  Members  of 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      247 


this  Board  inform  the  Commissioners  at  Poughkeepsie  that 
Mosier  has  been  examined  respecting  Silas  Duel  and  that 
upon  such  his  Examination  he  denied  that  Duel  had  advised 
him  to  rob  or  counselled  him  in  it  but  that  he  had  informed 
Duel  he  had  been  with  Burgoyne's  Army  and  was  fearful  to 
be  apprehended  and  that  Duel  had  thereupon  advised  him 
to  go  to  New  York 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  if  Octf  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  ^        ,.     TT      c 
i.    .       TT-      i          r       1  Cornelius  rlumrrey 
Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Mr  Visscher  reported  that  in  Consequence  of  the  Order  of 
Yesterday  he  had  wrote  a  Letter  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie  acquainting  them  with  the  Substance  of 
Mosier's  Examination  respecting  Silas  Duel  — 

A  Petition  was  laid  before  the  Board  signed  by  a  Number 
of  Persons  living  at  Spencertown  wherein  they  set  forth  that 
Thomas  Clark  who  was  some  Time  since  discharged  from 
Confinement  by  us  is  a  Person  who  from  his  Conduct  last 
Year  in  going  to  the  Enemy  has  [184]  rendered  himself  so 
odious  to  the  Inhabitants  of  that  District  that  they  are  deter- 
mined not  to  let  him  remain  among  them,  that  his  Behaviour 
since  he  has  been  liberated  from  Confinement  in  associating 
with  Persons  who  are  notoriously  disaffected  has  given1  them 
further  Cause  for  Disatisfaction  and  praying  us  that  we 
may  order  the  said  Thomas  Clark  to  be  again  imprisoned 
ordered  that  the  Prayer  of  the  said  Petition  be  taken  into 
Consideration 

The  above  Petition  having  been  considered  and  we»  finding 

1  Erroneously  written  "  gavin  "  in  the  manuscript. 


248  State  of  New  York 


*778      it  altogether  Inconvenient  to  confine  the  said  Thomas  Clark 
Oct.  i. 

on  Account  of  the  Infectious  Distemper  at  this  Time  pre- 
vailing in  the  Goal  and  of  the  great  Number  of  Persons  con- 
fined It  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Thomas  Clark 
return  to  Spencertown  and  there  make  such  Concessions  to 
the  Inhabitants  of  that  District  as  they  shall  think  proper  to 
require  of  him  and  that  it  be  recommended  to  the  Inhab- 
itants of  the  said  District  to  consent  to  his  remaining  among 
them  on  his  making  the  said  Concessions  — 

Mr?  McDonald  and  Miss  McDonald  of  Johnstown  ap- 
peared before  the  Board  and  requested  from  us  Permission 
to  go  the  former  to  New  York  the  latter  to  Canada  Ordered 
that  their  request  be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

The  Board  having  taken  the  above  Request  into  Consider- 
ation and  judging  that  it  would  be  more  benificial  to  the 
State  to  permit  the  said  Mr?  McDonald  &  Miss  McDonald 
(whose  Husband  and  Father  are  gone  over  to  the  Enemy)  to 
go  there  also  than  to  keep  them  here  do  order  that  it  be 
recommended  to  General  Stark  to  grant  them  Passes  for  the 
above  Purpose 

[185]  Mr?  Waltimyer  and  Mr?  Nancy  Fairchild  (whose 
Husbands  are  both  gone  to  New  York)  appeared  before  the 
Board  and  requested  Permission  from  us  to  go  to  New  York 
Ordered  that  their  request  be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 
1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2^  Octf  1778  — 

vJCt«  2* 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman    |       j  Mathew  Visscher 
Cornelius  Humfrey  j*       (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Col!  Humfrey  informed  the  Board  that  having  received 
Information  that  there  is  at  Kinderhook  a  certain  Daniel 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      249 


Dobs  who  appeared  to  be  of  a  suspicious  Character  and  n1778 
whose  going  at  large  in  that  Quarter  might  be  attended  with 
dangerous  Consequences,  he  ordered  the  said  Daniel  Dobs 
to  be  apprehended  and  brought  before  him  that  on  examining 
him  he  found  that  he  was  last  Year  a  Prisoner  on  Board  the 
Fleet  Prison  and  that  he  made  his  Escape  from  the  Guard 
who  conducted  him  to  Hartford  last  Fall,  that  in  Con- 
sequence of  the  above  Confession  he  had  bound  the  said 
Daniel  Dobs  in  Recognizance  in  the  Sum  of  £20-  o-  o 
and  Casper  Shaver  as  his  Bail  in  the  like  Sum  to  appear 
when  called  upon  by  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies 

John  Purves,  John  Murray,  John  Howard  and  Dugal 
M'rAslin  who  were  some  Time  ago  committed  to  Prison  were 
brought  before  the  Board  and  the  Nature  of  their  several 
Crimes  being  enquired  into  and  we  having  found  nothing 
special  against  them  do  order  that  they  be  severally  dis- 
charged from  Confinement  on  entering  [186]  into  Recog- 
nizance with  a  sufficient  Security  for  their  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

John  Purves  on  Recognizance  in £200  —    — 

John  Murray  on  D? in £200  — 

John  Howard  on  D? in £200  —    — 

Dugal  M'Aslin  on  D? in £200  - 

John  Boyd  as  Bail  for  each  of  them 
severally in £200 

Jacob  Johannis  Vrooman  was  brought  before  the  Board 
according  to  the  Order  of  the  25^  Day  of  September  last  and 
the  Mittimus  whereon  he  was  committed  to  Prison  having 
been  sent  to  us  by  the  Sheriff  of  the  County  of  Tryon  and  it 
appearing  therefrom  to  us  that  the  Cause  of  his  Commitment 
is  rather  trivial  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  he  be  discharged 
on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Security 
for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 


250  State  of  New  York 


Jacob  Johannis  Vrooman  on  Recog- 
nizance   in £100  —  o  — 

Abraham  Wemple  his  Bail  in £100  —  o  — 

Peter  Mesick  JunT  who  stands  accused  by  the  Examination 
of  Nathaniel  Morgan  with  having  been  privy  to  a  Robbery 
committed  on  Arent  Van  Schaack  at  Cooksakie  and  with 
secreting  the  Goods  there  stolen  made  his  appearance  before 
the  Board  and  delivered  himself  up  as  a  Prisoner  —  Or- 
dered that  the  said  Peter  Mesick  JunF  be  committed  to 
Prison  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to 
receive  him  into  his  Custody  — 

Andries  Ten  Eyck  who  was  some  Time  since  Notified 
in  the  Publick  News  Papers  to  appear  before  this  Board  this 
Day  appeared  and  the  Oath  as  prescribed  by  the  Act  to  be 
taken  by  Persons  of  Neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  [187] 
having  been  tendered  to  him  he  requested  Time  to  consider 
of  the  same  till  12^  Instant  which  was  granted  him 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  Coll  Humfrey  Four  Pounds 
it  being  Money  advanced  by  him  to  the  Person  who  gave 
Intelligence  of  Neal  Taylor's  being  at  Kinderhook  on  which 
Information  he  was  taken  — l 

Ordered  that  Daniel  Kittel  be  allowed  for  bringing  from 
Kinderhook  to  Albany  with  his  Waggon  and  Horses  a  Party 
of  Captain  Smith's  Men  and  Neal  Taylor  as  a  Prisoner 
^3;/  °//°  and  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same2 

Ordered  that  there  be  allowed  to  Christopher  Hawk  for 
his  Trouble  and  Expence  in  serving  Citations  on  Peter 
Vosburgh  and  John  Thurman  and  several  other  Persons 
£3  //  4  //  °  and  that  tne  Secretary  pay  the  same  — 3 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.    i6y» 
State  Comptroller's  office. 

2  Ibid,  p.  162.     Taylor  is  n-rmed  "  Cornelius  Taylor  "  in  this  voucher. 
J  Ibid,  p.  162. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      251 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  3  Octf  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |        j  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D.  Fonda        )       |  Cornelius  Humfrey 

Hugh  M'rColley  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  by 
Major  Schermerhorn  and  was  shortly  after  such  Confinement 
discharged  by  us  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
that  the  Money  taken  from  him  by  Major  Schermerhorn  and 
left  in  our  Hands  amounting  to  One  hundred  and  Eighty 
Dollars  might  be  redelivered  him  and  nothing  having  ap- 
peared against  the  said  Hugh  M^Colly  since  his  having  been 
released  Ordered  therefore  that  the  Secretary  deliver  the 
said  One  hundred  and  Eighty  Dollars  to  the  said  Hugh 
M*:Colly  taking  his  Receipt  therefor  — 

[188]  Ordered  that  the  Secretary,  pay  to  Captain  John 
Ryley  for  his  Expence  and  Trouble  in  apprehending  and 
bringing  to  Goal  from  the  Nine  Partners  to  Albany  Jacob 
Cronkheyt  one  of  the  Persons  guilty  of  the  Robbery  of 
John  Van  Ness  £7^16^0- 

Bartholemewis  Hess  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  and  his  Examination  committed  to  writing  Or- 
dered that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Philip  Sniffer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  ex- 
amined Ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Captain  Coenradt  Cline 
and  Captain  James  Robison  for  their  Trouble  and  Expence 
in  going  to  Barrington  to  examine  Nathaniel  Morgan  and 
for  apprehending  a  Number  of  Persons  who  were  Accessories 
to  the  Robberies  committed  in  Livingston's  Manor,  Claverack 
and  other  Places  £26  4I  8  ao-  1 

»The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  162, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


252  State  of  New  York 

1778  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Jacob  Cline  for  his 
Trouble  and  Expence  in  apprehending  and  bringing  to 
Claverack  a  Number  of  Inhabitants  of  Livingston's  Manor 
who  had  harboured  and  concealed  the  Robbers  £11  ,,0^0-  1 
John  Hogle  and  Elizabeth  Gowey  appeared  before  the 
Board  according  to  Order  and  they  having  been  examined 
in  the  Presence  of  Neal  Taylor  and  it  appearing  from  the 
Charges  of  the  said  Ncal  Taylor  against  them  that  they  were 
privy  to  the  Robberies  committed  by  him  Mosier  and  others 
It  is  ordered  that  the  said  John  Hogle  and  Elizabeth  Gowey 
be  committed  to  Prison  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to 
the  Goaler  to  receive  them  into  his  Custody  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  next  Teusday  [sic]  Morning  — 

[189]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  6t:h  Octf  1778 
Present 

Mathew  Visscher  ) 


r>          \\T     i         T     r 
retrus  Wynkoop    un? 

Isaac  D.Fonda     j 

Ordered  that  a  Citation  be  made  out  for  Catharine  Hickety 
to  appear  before  this  Board  on  the  Eighth  Day  of  October 
Instant,  and  that  the  same  be  immediately  served  on  her  — 

Mr?  Sarah  M'rMichael  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
prayed  that  a  Pass  might  be  granted  her  to  go  with  her  Fam- 
ily to  New  York  and  as  a  Reason  to  induce  us  to  grant  her 
such  Permission  she  alledged  that  one  of  her  Sons  is  in  New 
York  and  that  she  looks  upon  him  as  her  greatest  Support 

Thereupon  Ordered  that  a  Certificate  be  granted  her  signi- 
fying that  this  Board  have  no  Objections  to  her  going  to  New 
York  with  her  Family  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Afternoon  — 

1  Ibid,  p.  1 66. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      253 


Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  7t.h  Octf  1778        n1778 
Present 

John  M.   Beekman         ^  _         ~  „      . 

T         •  i  TT      r>        i  f  Isaac  U.  .Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  v  1              „. 

^,    ,         TT-      i                 (  retrus  Wynkoop  jun^ 

Mathew  Visscher 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Samuel  Louden 
for  inserting  in  his  Publick  News  Papers  several  Notifications 
to  Persons  of  Neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  amounting 
to  £6  u  8  H  o  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  —  l 

Rudolph  Schoonmaker  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
informed  us  that  he  was  desirous  of  going  to  the  [190]  German 
Flatts  but  under  Apprehensions  of  being  Illtreated  by  some 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  Tryon  County  —  Ordered  that  a  Pro- 
tection be  given  to  the  said  Rudolph  Schoonmaker,  and  that 
a  Letter  be  wrote  concerning  him  to  Christopher  P.  Yates 
Esqf  which  Letter  and  Protection  are  in  the  Words  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  (prout)  — 

A  Letter  was  laid  before  the  Board  from  Peter  Ten  Broeck 
requesting  that  himself  and  his  Family  might  be  exchanged 
for  some  Person  at  present  in  New  York  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  Ordered  that  the  same 
be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

The  Board  having  taken  the  Subject  of  the  above  Letter 
into  Consideration  Ordered  that  the  Board  have  no 
Authority  to  exchange  M?  Ten  Broeck  the  Application  in 
their  Opinion  ought  to  be  to  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton 

Ordered  that  David  Smith  be  cited  to  appear  before  this 
Board  to  Morrow  Afternoon  at  2  OClock  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1  The  original  voucher,  for  £2  „  8s.,  or  "  Six  Dollars  ",  is  in  Revolitiionary 
Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  169,  State  Comptroller's  office.  Evidently,  the 
amount  in  the  minutes  is  incorrect. 


254  State  of  New  York 


Oct7!     ^et  Pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  8^  Octr  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  A,    ,       ,r      , 
::         ^  r       1  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  L).  l*onda       ) 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Christopher  P.  Yates 
Esqr  in  Tryon  County  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  follow- 
ing, to  wit,  (prout) 

David  Smith  who  was  Yesterday  cited  to  appear 
before  this  Board  appeared  Ordered  that  he  be  ex- 
amined, the  said  David  Smith  having  been  examined  was 
discharged 

It  being  suggested  to  the  Board  by  the  Goaler  that 
Mary  Wheeler  the  Wife  of  Jurie  Wheeler  (who  are 
both  in  close  [191]  Confinement)  is  very  sick  and  the 
said  Jurie  Wheeler  having  requested  the  Board  that  him- 
self and  his  Wife  might  be  released  from  Confinement  on 
finding  a  sufficient  Security  Ordered  that  they  be  discharged 
on  the  said  Jurie  Wheeler's  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to 
remain  within  the  Limits  of  this  City  and  appear  once  a 
Day  before  us  — 

Jurie  Wheeler  on  Recognizance  in .  .   £200  —  o  —  o 
Coenradt    Cline    of    Livingstons 
Manor  his  Bail  in £200  —  o  —  o 

Catharine  Hickety  who  was  summoned  to  appear 
before  the  Board  this  Day  appeared  and  was  examined 
Ordered  that  she  again  appear  before  us  next  Monday 
Morning  — 

Michael  Stopplebeen  one  of  the  Prisoners  taken  at  the 
Unadilla  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined 
Ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  Saturday  Morning 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      255 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  lo*!1  OctT  1778 —    o1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  | 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j 

Received  a  Letter  from  Lieutenant  Col?  Philip  Van 
Alstyne  dated  at  Schohary  8^  Instant  wherein  he  informs 
us  that  he  sends  to  us  under  the  Care  of  Ensign  MofFat  two 
Prisoners  whose  Names  are  Jacob  Angle  and  Lodiwick  Stull 
formerly  Inhabitants  of  the  Bever  Dam  who  were  appre- 
hended upon  the  Information  of  Lieu*  Mathew  Shulter  and 
Ensign  Adam  Dietz  for  going  off  to  the  Enemy  with  Jacob 
Ball  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

[192]  In  Consequence  of  the  foregoing  Letter  the  said 
Jacob  Angle  and  Lodiwick  Stull  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  examined,  and  after  such  Examination  It  was 
ordered  that  the  said  Jacob  Angle  and  Lodiwick  Stull  should 
be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  should  be  made  out  to  the 
Goaler  to  receive  them  into  his  Custody  — 

Lieutenant  Peter  Drummond  who  was  formerly  eliberated 
from  Confinement  by  this  Board  appeared  before  us  and 
requested  a  Pass  to  go  down  to  Poughkeepsie  in  Order  to 
sollicit  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor  an  Exchange  for 
some  Officer  of  equal  Rank  with  him  in  the  Power  of  the 
Enemy  Ordered  that  a  Pass  be  given  to  the  said  Peter 
Drummond  for  the  above  Purpose  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuantto  Adjournment — Albany  12^  October  1778 —      1778 

Oct.  12. 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  T         r\  T?     j 
A/T    i        TT-      i  r       •{  Isaac  JD.  fonda 

Mathew  Visscher  j        ( 


256  State  of  New  York 


1778          David  Price  who  was  some  Time   since  confined  on  a 
Oct.  12. 

Suspicion  of  having  been  concerned  in  the  Robberies  com- 
mitted by  Morgan  and  others  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  no  other  Proff  [sic]  having  yet  appeared  against  the  said 
David  Price  except  the  Information  of  the  said  Morgan  and 
there  being  the  greatest  Reason  to  suppose  that  the  said 
David  Price  is  not  guilty  of  the  Crime  laid  to  his  Charge  It  is 
therefore  ordered  that  the  said  David  Price  be  discharged 
from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  to 
answer  every  Summons  from  any  of  the  Courts  of  Judicature 
which  shall  be  served  upon  him  for  the  Term  of  one  Year 
from  this  Day  and  in  the  mean  Time  keep  the  Peace  and 
do  his  Duty  as  a  good  [193]  and  faithful  Subject  of  this 
State  - 

David  Price  on  Recognizance  in.. .  £100 —  o  —  o 
Coenradt    Cline     of     Livingston's 
Manor  his  Bail  in £100  —  o  —  o 

Paul  Drew  having  been  brought  from  the  Westward 
some  Time  ago  upon  Suspicion  of  being  a  Person  dangerous 
to  the  Safety  and  Wellfare  of  this  State  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  examined  him  and  finding  nothing 
material  against  him  do  order  that  the  said  Paul  Drew  be 
eliberated  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  Recog- 
nizance with  a  sufficient  Security  for  his  future  good  Be- 
haviour and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

Paul  Drew  on  Recognizance  in. ...  £100 —  o  —  o 
Hendrick  Frey  of  Tryon  County  his 

Bail  in £100  —  o  —  o 

Jacob  Angle  who  was  last  Saturday  brought  down  from 
Schohary  and  confined  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  and  his  Examination  committed  to  Writing 
Ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      257 

Lodiwick  Stull  who  was  also  last  Saturday  brought  down    01778 
from  Schohary  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having 
examined  him   and   his  Examination   being  committed  to 
Writing    Ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

'     Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  13^  OctT  1778 —    oV78 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  ,         ~    ~      . 
A/T    L       T7-     i_  r       1  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

It  having  appeared  to  the  Board  that  Duncan  M'rDugal 
is  able  to  give  Information  against  Jurie  Man  [194]  which 
will  serve  to  convict  him  of  High  Treason  ordered  there- 
fore that  the  said  Duncan  M'rDugal  appear  before  this 
Board  on  Saturday  next  to  give  his  Testimony  against  the 
said  Jurie  Man  — 

Ordered  that  a  Pass  be  given  to  Jacob  Man  to  go  to 
Tryon  County  for  the  Purpose  of  serving  the  above  Cita- 
tion on  the  said  Duncan  M'rDugal  — 

Jacob  Legrange  who  was  some  Time  since  notified  to 
appear  before  this  Board  in  the  Publick  News  Papers  this 
Day  appeared  and  the  Oath  as  prescribed  in  the  Act  to  be 
taken  by  Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  being 
tendered  him  he  requested  Time  to  consider  of  the  same 
till  next  Monday  which  was  granted  him 

Andries  Ten  Eyck  who  on  his  Appearance  before  the 
Board  on  the  2^  Instant  requested  Time  to  this  Day  to 
consider  of  the  Oath  then  tendered  him  appeared  and  on  his 
informing  us  that  he  had  still  some  Doubts  remaining  upon' 
his  Mind  respecting  the  said  Oath  he  was  allowed  further 
Time  to  consider  of  it  till  next  Monday 

Then  Adjourned  till  Wednesday  Morning 


258  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Ad iournment  —  Albany  15*?  Octf  1778  — 
Present 

Hugh  Mitchell       )        f  T 

iv/r    i.        \T-      L      r       •{  Isaac  D.  Jbonda 

Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

Isaac  Fonda  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  his 
Trouble  and  Expences  in  going  down  with  a  Number  of 
disaffected  Persons  who  refused  to  take  the  Oath  of  Alle- 
giance from  Kinderhook  to  Poughkeepsie  amounting  to 
£21  //40O1  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — 

[195]  Ebenezer  Knap  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
requested  from  us  a  Pass  to  go  to  Cherry  Valley  Ordered 
that  he  be  informed  that  this  Board  cannot  take  upon  them- 
selves to  give  him  such  a  Pass  but  that  his  Application  lies 
properly  to  General  Starks  and  further  ordered  that  it  be 
recommended  to  the  General  to  grant  him  Permission  to  go  to 
Cherry  Valley  to  fetch  from  thence  his  Family  and  Effects  — 

Alen  McDonald  Appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
Permission  to  go  to  Canada  and  it  appearing  to  us  from  his 
own  Information  that  his  Relations  who  are  with  the  Enemy 
are  Men  of  Influence  and  as  such  have  it  in  their  Power  to 
procure  some  Person  to  be  exchanged  for  him  ordered  there- 
fore that  the  said  Alen  McDonald  be  informed  that  the  Board 
cannot  grant  him  such  Permission  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

I778  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  16^  Octf  1778 

Present 

Teremiah  Van  Renselaer  )         (  T          T^    T?     j 
^  f       1  Isaac  *J.  .bonda 

Mathew  Visscher  )         ( 

1  The  original  voucher,  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  163,  State 
Comptroller's  office,  states  that  he  conducted  John  Thurman  and  others  to 
Fishkill.  His  name  was  Isaac  A.  Fonda. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      259 


A  Letter  from   John  S chuck  was  laid  before  the  Board 

...  .  .  Oct.  16. 

setting  forth  that  he  is  willing  to  give  Information  how  and 

in  what  Manner  the  Principal  Robbers  may  be  apprehended 
and  will  surrender  himself  Prisoner  provided  he  can  have 
any  Encouragement  of  Favour 

The  Board  having  taken  the  same  into  Consideration  and 
considering  that  the  Persons  alluded  to  [196]  in  Schuck' s 
Letter  are  the  authors  of  all  the  Robberies  that  have  been 
committed  this  Summer  are  thereupon  of  Opinion  that 
the  said  Schuck  be  informed  that  upon  his  making  the 
necessary  Discoveries  and  his  aiding  &  assisting  by  all  the 
Means  in  his  Power  to  have  the  said  Persons  referred  to  in 
his  Letter  apprehended  this  Board  will  intercede  with  his 
Excellency  Governor  Clinton  for  a  Pardon  for  the  said  John 
Schuck  and  which  they  doubt  not  but  they  will  obtain  — 

Ordered  that  it  be  earnestly  recommended  to  all  Officers 
both  Civil  and  Military  to  afford  Cap*  Shaver  who  is  to  go  in 
Search  of  the  above  Robbers  such  necessary  Assistance  as  he 
shall  require  of  them 

The  Board  judging  that  by  discharging  Ariantie  Schuck 
the  Wife  of  John  Schuck  from  her  present  Confinement  the 
said  John  Schuck  might  be  induced  the  Sooner  to  surrender 
himself  therefore  ordered  that  she  be  discharged  and  that  a 
Pass  be  given  her  to  return  Home  — 

Then  adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  ig^  Octf  1778 —      1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )         (  T          -n    -c     j 
r.    *  r       i  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Bartholemewis  Van  Valkenburgh  who  was  some  Time  ago 
confined  by  Order  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  at  Claver- 


260  State  of  New  York 


2Lck  on  the  Information  exhibited  against  him  by  Nathaniel 
Morgan  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing 
to  us  that  the  said  Bartholemewis  Van  [197]  Valkenburgh 
is  verf  sick  and  that  by  a  longer  Confinement  his  Life  may  be 
endangered  therefore  ordered  that  he  be  discharged  from 
Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  suf- 
cient  Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly 
Appearance 

Bartholemewis  Van  Valkenburgh  on 

Recognizance,  ...........  in  ......  £100  —  o  — 

Joachim  Van  Slyck  his  Bail  in  ......  £100  —  o  — 

Andries  Ten  Eyck  and  Jacob  Legrange  who  were  allowed 
Time  to  consider  of  the  Oath  prescribed  to  be  taken  by 
Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  appeared  and 
the  Oath  being  tendered  them  they  severally  refused  to  take 
the  same  Ordered  that  they  hold  themselves  in  Readiness 
to  be  removed  within  the  Enemies  Lines  on  the  shortest 
Notice 

Johan  Jurie  Fought  who  was  some  Time  ago  confined  on 
the  Information  exhibited  against  him  by  Nathaniel  Morgan 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  having  considered  the 
Charge  alledged  against  him  and  Judging  from  Circum- 
stances that  the  said  Johan  Jurie  Fought  is  not  so  guilty 
as  was  at  first  apprehended  do  therefore  order  that  he  be 
discharged  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recogni- 
zance for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appear- 
ance before  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  — 

Johan  Jurie  Fought  on  Recognizance 

in  .............................  £200  —  o  — 

George  Shufelt  his  Bail  .....  in  .....  £100  —  o  — 

Silvester  Salsbury  also  his  Bail  in  .....   £100  —  o  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      261 

[198]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment — Albany  20^  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }         f  A/T    u       17-      u 
•!         _    _  r       i  Matnew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  .tonda       j         ( 

Lieutenant  Samuel  Shaw  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 
of  Services  performed  by  himself  and  four  Men  in  endeavour- 
ing to  apprehend  John  Ruyter  and  others  from  Canada 
amounting  to  ^5^16^0  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the 
same1 

Elizabeth  Gowey  heretofore  committed  by  this  Board  on 
Suspicion  of  her  having  received  some  of  the  Goods  stolen 
by  Eseck  Mosier  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it 
appearing  that  no  further  ProfF  [sic]  can  be  obtained  against 
her  except  that  of  the  said  Eseck  Mosier  it  is  therefore 
ordered  that  she  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on  her 
entering  into  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  her 
future  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  before  any  judicial 
Authority  when  called  upon  — 

George  Young  Bail  for  Elizabeth 

Gowey in . .    £100  —  o  —  o 

William  Leonard  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  by 
Order  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners  at  Claverack  as  a 
suspicious  Person  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  nothing 
special  having  as  yet  appeared  against  him  he  was  ordered  to 
be  discharged  from  his  Confinement 

Philip  Shiffer  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  [199] 
examined  and  his  Examination  reduced  to  writing  —  Or- 
dered that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


262  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  2is.t  Octf  1778  — 

Oct.  21* 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          ,^   ^      , 
in    i        TT-  r       i  Isaac  U.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

John  Tunnicliff  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
us  that  he  had  left  all  the  Deeds  of  his  Lands  concealed 
near  the  Butternutts  and  is  desirous  of  going  up  in  order 
to  fetch  them  away  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  acquaint 
General  Stark  that  we  have  no  Objections  to  his  going  up 
for  this  Purpose  — 

Col1.  John  Visscher  laid  before  the  Board  an  [account] 
for  his  Trouble  and  Expence  in  going  down  with  a  Number 
of  disaffected  Persons  at  different  Times  from  Albany 
to  Poughkeepsie  amounting  in  the  whole  to  £34*1640 
Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — l 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esqf  dated  19^ 
Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  — 

1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  23?  Oct?  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )         (  T          T^    T-      j 
r,    .        TT.  r      i  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

John  Schultz  who  was  some  Time  ago  brought  [200]  from 
the  Helleberg  and  confined  was  this  Day  brought  before  the 
Board  and  he  expressing  a  Desire  of  Inlisting  in  the  Con- 
tinental Army  and  there  being  no  particular  Charges  against 
him  we  do  therefore  order  that  the  said  John  Schultz  be 
released  from  his  Confinement 

'The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  164; 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      263 


Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Col1  Peter  Bellinger  in      *778 

Oct.  23. 
Tryon  County  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to 

wit,  (prout) 

Benjamin  Lull  and  Caleb  Lull  who  were  lately  taken  by 
a  Party  of  Oneyda  Indians  at  the  Butternuts  and  brought 
down  to  this  Place  as  Prisoners  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  it  having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Benjamin 
Lull  and  Caleb  Lull  were  taken  at  their  respective  Places 
of  Abode  and  were  not  known  to  have  acted  Inimically  to 
the  American  Cause  therefore  ordered  that  they  be  dis- 
charged from  Confinement  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq?  dated  i6t.h 
Instant  which  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  a  letter  be  wrote  to  Hugh  Mitchell  Esqf  in 
Answer  to  the  above  which  Letter  is  to  be  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Complaint  having  been  made  to  the  Board  by  Frederick 
Berringer  that  Cap*  John  Ryley  retains  and  keeps  in  his 
Hands  several  Articles  which  the  said  John  Ryley  as  Captain 
of  a  Ranger  Company  has  [201]  taken  from  suspected  Per- 
sons and  which  the  said  Frederick  Berringer  claims  as  his 
Property  ordered  therefore  that  the  said  John  Ryley  be 
cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on  Wednesday  next  to 
render  an  Account  of  the  above  Goods  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  24*h  Octr  1778         01778 

\sCt*  24* 

Present 


John  M.  Beekman  )        (  Isaac  D   Fon<Ja 
Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Whereas  it  has  appeared  to  this  Board  that  Jotham  Bemus 
is  a  Person  who  on  many  Occasions  has  evinced  his  Dis- 


264  State  of  New  York 


1778  approbation  of  the  Measures  pursued  by  the  United  States 
of  America  and  it  being  the  Opinion  of  the  Board  that  the 
said  Jotham  Bemus's  going  at  large  may  be  highly  detri- 
mental to  the  Safety  of  this  State  we  do  therefore  order 
that  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  be  immediately  apprehended 
and  brought  before  us  — 

Frederick  Felt  who  was  confined  by  Order  of  the  Board 
of  Commissioners  at  Claverack  was  this  Day  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his 
Crime  and  finding  no  material  Charges  against  him  do 
therefore  order  that  the  said  Frederick  Felt  be  discharged 
from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
[202]  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  appearance  before 
any  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  and  any  other 
Judicial  Authority  when  called  upon  — 

Frederick  Felt  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  —  o  —  o 
Then  Adjourned  till  next  Monday  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  26t:h  OctT  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  T          r*    T?     j 
:,    .        TT-      i          r       1  Isaac  D.  .bonda 
Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Whereas  it  has  appeared  to  the  Board  that  Timothy 
Bussing  was  by  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of 
Albany  restricted  by  a  Parole  given  by  the  said  Timothy 
Bussing  to  the  said  Committee  to  his  Farm  and  one  Mile 
around  it  and  it  having  also  appeared  to  that  the  said 
Timothy  Bussing  since  the  Time  of  his  entering  into  the 
said  Parole  has  behaved  himself  as  a  good  quiet  and  peace- 
able Subject  of  this  State  we  do  therfore  order  that  the 
said  Timothy  Bussing  be  discharged  from  his  said  Parole  — 

Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Samuel  Loadman 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      265 


for  Beef  purchased  from  him  for  the  Use  of  the  State  Prisoners  1778 
amounting  £5^15^6  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  thesame — ' 
Alexander  Anderson  who  was  brought  from  the  West- 
ward and  here  confined  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
we  having  examined  into  the  Cause  of  his  [203]  Commit- 
ment and  finding  no  material  Charges  against  him  do  order 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  procuring 
a  sufficient  Person  to  become  Bail  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Appearance  before  any  of  the  Commissioners 
when  called  upon  and  before  the  next  Court  of  General 
Sessions  to  be  held  for  this  City  and  County  — 

Peter  M^Kotshen  Bail  for  Alexander 

Anderson  in £100  —  o  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  27**  Octf  1778  —    Oct7?27 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          ^   ,-,      , 
i,    .        X7.      .          \       \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     j        ( 

Received  a  Letter2  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor 
dated  26^  Instant  wherein  he  informs  us  that  from  the 
Information  he  has  received  he  has  great  Reason  to  think 
that  such  of  the  Inhabitants  of  this  State  as  are  in  the 
Power  of  the  Enemy  are  not  now  treated  with  that  Degree 
of  Rigour  which  they  formerly  experienced  and  therefore 
requests  that  Henry  Van  Schaack,  David  Van  Schaack 
Dirck  Gardinier,  Mathew  Goes  JunF  and  Lambert  Burg- 
hart  may  be  released  from  their  present  Confinement  and 
placed  in  another  as  easy  and  mild  as  we  can  possible  make 

>The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  161, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 

*  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1869,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


266  State  of  New  York 

1778      it  to  them  —  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,   to 
Oct.  27.       .     ,          N  5' 

wit,  (prout)  — 

Ordered  that  the  Board  take  into  their  Consideration  the 
above  Letter  and  fix  upon  a  Place  to  remove  the  said  Henry 
Van  Schaack,  David  Van  Schaack,  Dirk  Gardinier  Mathew 
Goes  Junr  and  Lambert  Burghart  to  — 

[204]  Barnabas  Loughley  one  of  the  Persons  lately  taken  by 
the  Oneyda  Indians  and  brought  by  them  to  this  Place  as  a 
Prisoner  and  confined  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it 
having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Barnabas  Loughley  was 
taken  at  his  Place  of  Abode  and  no  Proff  [sic]  having  as  yet 
appeared  against  him  of  his  having  acted  any  Way  inimically 
to  the  American  Cause  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Barnabas 
Loughley  be  discharged  from  his  present  Confinement  on  his 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  to  appear 
at  the  next  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  at 
the  City  Hall  in  the  City  of  Alb  any  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  Janu- 
ary next  or  before  oneof  the  Commissioners  when  called  upon — 

Barnabas  Loughley  on  Recogniznace 

in £50  —  o  — 

Joshua  Bloore  his  Bail  in £50  —  o  — 

Isaac  Lawson  who  was  some  Time  ago  taken  a  Prisoner 
to  the  Westward  and  sent  down  to  this  Place  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  that  the  said  Isaac  Law- 
son  has  been  with  the  Enemy  and  did  desert  from  them  and 
was  on  his  Way  to  surrender  himself  a  Prisoner  when  he  was 
apprehended  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Isaac  Lawson  be 
discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance to  appear  on  the  last  Day  of  every  Month  before  one 
of  the  Commissioners  and  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  — 

Isaac  Lawson  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  —  o  —  o 
Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      267 


[205]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  28^  Octf  1778  - 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        ) 
Mathew  Visscher     )        ) 

Stephen  Bell  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  for  Neces- 
saries by  him  purchased  for  the  Use  of  the  State  Prisoners 
amounting  to  £i6aj^  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay 
the  same  —  * 

Robert  Herbert  who  was  some  Time  since  taken  a  Prisoner 
to  the  Westward  and  sent  down  to  this  Place  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  that  the  said  Robert 
Herbert  has  been  with  the  Enemy  and  did  desert  from 
them  and  was  on  his  Way  to  surrender  himself  a  Pris- 
oner when  he  was  apprehended  therefore  ordered  that 
the  said  Robert  Herbert  be  discharged  from  his  present 
Confinement  — 

Isaac  Bogert  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  his 
Wages  for  going  with  a  Number  of  disaffected  Persons  who 
refused  to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  from  Albany  to 
Fort  Edward  and  also  for  Services  by  him  performed  in 
going  to  Cherry  Valley  to  receive  Information  respecting 
the  Seizure  of  a  Number  of  Cattle  by  the  Continental 
Troops  which  they  had  advertised  for  Sale  the  whole  amount- 
ing to  £27/;6/yo  Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the 
same  —  2 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1  The  original  voucher,  for  salt  and  mutton,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  167,  State  Comptroller's  office. 

2  The  original  voucher  is  in   Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p     166, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


268  State  of  New  York 


1778          [206]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

Albany  29^  Octf  1778  — 
Present  — 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          T^   T?     j 
;_  T_.  r       1  lsaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Members  of  the 
Senate  and  Assembly  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany 
respecting  Cornelius  Glen,  Daniel  Campbell  and  a  Number 
of  other  Persons  who  after  their  Refusal  to  take  the  Oath 
as  prescribed  by  the  Act  to  be  taken  by  Persons  of  neutral 
and  equivocal  Characters  offered  to  take  the  same  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  John  Taylor  Esq?  which 
is  in  the  following  Words,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  transmit  to  his  Excellency 
Governor  Clinton  the  Names  of  Andries  Ten  Eyck  and  Jacob 
Legrange  who  have  refused  to  take  the  Oath  of  Allegiance 
as  prescribed  in  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  respecting  Persons 
of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  that  his  Excellency  may 
if  he  thinks  proper  detain  them  for  the  Purpose  of  an 
Exchange  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  .Adjournment  —  Albany  30^  Octr  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r\   r?     j 
-[  >       4  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Hugh  Frazer  who  was  some  Time  ago  brought  [207] 
down  from  Harpersfield  and  confined  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  he  having  produced  a  Number  of  Certificates 
in  his  Favour  from  a  Number  of  Persons  well  attached  to  the 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      269 

American  Cause  and  no  special  Charges  having  been  alledged  J778 
as  yet  against  the  said  Hugh  Frazer  therefore  ordered  that  he 
be  discharged  from  his  present  Confinement  on  his  entering 
into  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  General 
Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City 
of  Albany  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  or  before 
one  of  the  Commissioners  when  called  upon  — 

Hugh  Frazer  on  Recognizance  in ...  £100  —  o  —  o 
Frederick  Beecker  his  Bail  . . .  .in. . .  £100  —  o  —  o 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Subject 
of  the  Letter  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton  of  the 
1 6^  Instant1  respecting  Henry  Van  Schaack,  David  Van 
Schaack,  Dirck  Gardinier,  Mathew  Goes  Jun?  and  Lambert 
Burghart  are  of  Opinion  that  they  do  forthwith  repair  to 
Schodack  and  there  remain  and  abide  by  such  Restrictions 
as  shall  be  enjoined  them  by  a  Parole  to  be  by  them  entered 
into 

Ordered  that  a  Parole  be  drawn  up  and  signed  by  Henry 
Van  Schaack,  David  Van  Schaack,  Dirk  Gardinier,  Mathew 
Goes  Junf  and  Lambert  Burghart  which  is  to  be  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[208]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Oct  7fi 

Albany  31?  Octf  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          ^   ^      , 
ATI        TT-      i          r       i  Isaac  D.  ronda 
Mathew  Visscher     )        ( 

Nicholas  Dygert  who  was  some  Time  ago  taken  a  Prisoner 
by  Brant's  Party  and  made  his  Escape  from  them  appeared 

1  Should  be  26th.  The  letter  alluded  to  is  in  George  Clinton  Papers,  no. 
1869,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


2  jo  State  of  New  York 

Oc/78i  before  the  Board  according  to  Order  and  was  examined  and 
his  Examination  reduced  to  writing  whereupon  ordered  that 
he  be  discharged  — 

A  Petition  of  Johannis  Beecker,  Paul  Siekeler  and  Johan- 
nis  Bearhouse  was  laid  before  the  Board  setting  forth  that 
about  four  Weeks  ago  a  Party  of  Coll  Bellinger's  Regiment 
of  Militia  came  to  their  Habitations  about  Daybreak  under 
a  Pretence  of  searching  for  some  Persons  who  they  said  they 
were  informed  were  there  concealed  and  after  a  short  Search 
they  plundered  them  of  all  their  Effects  scarce  leaving  them 
wherewithal  to  cover  themselves  Ordered  that  the  above 
Petition  be  taken  into  Consideration 

The  Board  having  taken  the  Subject  of  the  above  Petition 
into  Consideration  do  thereupon  order  that  a  Letter  be 
wrote  to  Coll  Bellinger  requesting  him  to  order  the  Goods 
taken  from  the  above  mentioned  Persons  to  be  immediately 
returned  to  them  —  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

William  Hutton  who  was  some  Time  ago  sent  down  to 
this  Place  by  the  Commissioners  of  Charlotte  County  in 
Order  to  remain  here  till  we  should  see  fit  to  permit  him 
again  to  go  to  his  Place  of  Abode  at  Skeensborough  [209] 
appeared  before  us  this  Day  and  requested  Permission  from 
us  to  go  to  his  Family  Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the 
Commissioners  of  Charlotte  County  recommending  to  them 
if  they  think  the  Situation  of  that  Part  of  the  Country  will 
admit  of  it  to  permit  the  said  William  Hutton  to  go  and 
remain  with  his  Family  at  Skeensborough  — 

John  Harrison  one  of  the  Persons  lately  taken  by  the 
Party  of  Oneyda  Indians  a  Prisoner  and  brought  by  them  to 
this  place  and  confined  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
we  having  enquired  into  the  Nature  of  his  Offence  and 
finding  nothing  special  against  him  do  therefore  order  that 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      271 


Received  Copy  of  an  Authenticated  Act1  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  New  York  for  continuing  the  Powers  of  the 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  October  29,  1778. 


he  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a 
Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  — 

John  Harrison  on  Recognizance  in  .  .   £100  —  o  —  o 
John  Haswell  his  Bail  .........  in  .  .   £100  —  o  —  o 

Brigadier  General  Hand  acquainted  the  Board  by  Letter 
that  there  were  confined  in  the  Guard  House  five  Persons 
whose  Names  are  Samuel  Bagnell  John  Seaback,  John 
Dove,  Charles  M'rCollister  and  Hector,  Southerland  who 
have  been  taken  Prisoners  and  as  they  are  Inhabitants  of 
this  State  he  is  willing  to  deliver  them  over  to  us  Ordered 
that  the  above  Persons  be  sent  for  and  committed  to  Goal 
and  that  the  Goaler  be  ordered  by  a  Mittimus  to  take  them 
into  his  Custody 

[210]  Albert  Van  Der  Werken  having  been  apprehended 
for  being  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  and  confined  in 
Tryon  County  Goal  made  Application  to  us  to  be  released 
from  his  Confinement  and  a  Number  of  Certificates  having 
been  produced  in  Favour  of  the  said  Albert  Van  Der  Werken 
from  Persons  well  affected  to  the  American  Cause  therefore 
ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Zepheniah  Batchelor  and 
Andrew  Wemp  requesting  them  to  cause  the  said  Albert  Van 
Der  Werken  to  come  before  them  and  enter  into  a  Recogni- 
zance for  his  Appearance  at  the  next  Court  of  Oyer  and 
Terminer  to  be  held  in  and  for  the  County  of  Tryon  and  for 
his  Appearance  before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners  when 
called  upon  —  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 


272  State  of  New  York 


1778  Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies  till 
twenty  Days  after  the  next  Meeting  of  the  Legislature  — 
passed  29^  October  1778  —  in  Consequence  of  which  the 
following  Members  met  — 

Albany  2"?  November  1778  — 

John  M.  Beekman 
Mathew  Visscher 

Volckert  P.  Douw,  Harmen  Gansevoort  and  a  Number  of 
other  Persons  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested  that 
Henry  Van  Dyck  and  the  other  Persons  late  Inhabitants  of 
this  City  by  us  removed  within  [211]  the  Enemies  Lines 
might  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  respective  Places  of 
Abode  under  such  Restrictions  as  we  might  think  proper 
except  taking  the  Oath  prescribed  for  neutral  Characters 
Ordered  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Application  that  a 
Letter1  be  wrote  to  his  Excellence  the  Governor  informing 
him  of  such  Application  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  Adam  Deputy  Commissary 
of  Prisoners  at  Peeks  Kill  informing  us  that  he  had  received 
Orders  to  send  into  New  York  all  the  British  Officers 
Prisoners  of  War  and  also  the  Officers  belonging  to  the 
New  Levies  who  are  in  our  Possession  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Letter  of 
John  Adam  Deputy  Commissary  of  Prisoners  and  as  most 
of  the  Officers  belonging  to  the  New  Levies  are  indicted  for 
High  Treason  against  the  State  and  as  the  Board  are  doubtful 
as  to  the  Propriety  of  sending  away  Persons  so  circumstanced 
therefore  ordered  that  a  Letter  be  immediately  wrote  to 

lln  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1879,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      273 


his  Excellency  the  Governor  on  the  Subject  of  the  above 
Request  and  that  a  Return  of  such  Officers  be  inclosed 
which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  —  1 

John  Park  who  was  some  Time  since  brought  down  from 
Harpersfield  and  confined  for  Disaffection  to  the  American 
Cause  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  [212]  having 
examined  him  and  finding  nothing  speciall  against  him 
Therefore  ordered  that  he  be  discharged  from  Confinement 
on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  [Monthly]2  Appearance  before  the  Com- 
missioners when  called  upon  — 

John  Park  on  Recognizance  ----  in.  .  .   £100  —  o  —  o 

Jeames  Beaty  of  Harpersfield  his  Bail 

in  .............................    £100  —  o  —  o 

Walter  Elliot  of  D?    also  his  Bail  in.  ..   £100  —  o  —  o 

Moses  Thirsty  One  of  the  Persons  taken  by  the  Oneyda 
Indians  and  brought  down  to  this  Place  a  Prisoner  and  con- 
fined was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  having  appeared 
that  the  said  Moses  Thirsty  was  taken  at  his  Habitation  an 
no  ProfF  [sic]  having  been  adduced  of  his  having  acted  any 
Way  inimically  to  the  Cause  of  American  [sic]  therefore 
ordered  that  he  be  discharged  on  his  entering  into  a  Recogni- 
zance with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour 
and  Monthly  Appearance  before  one  of  the  Commissioners 
when  called  upon  — 

Moses  Thirsty  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —  o  —  o 
James  Furnival  his  Bail  .......  in  £100  —  o  —  o 

William  Gordon  lately  residing  at  Unadilla  and  brought 
down  a  Prisoner  to  this  Place  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  examined  and  No  Proff  [sic]  having  appeared  against 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1882,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 
*  This  word  is  scored  out  in  the  manuscript. 


274  State  of  New  York 


1778  him  of  his  having  acted  any  Way  unfriendly  to  the  American 
Cause  therefore  ordered  that  he  be  discharged  on  his  entering 
into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and 
Monthly  Appearance 

William  Gordon  on  Recognizance  in. .   £50  —  o  — 
Hugh  Jalley  his  Bail in . .  £50  —  o  — 

[213]    Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

8      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  3?  Novf    1778  — 
Present  — 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          T^   T?     j 
J  r       1  Isaac  D-  Fonda 

Matnew  Visscner     )        ( 

Whereas  it  has  appeared  to  this  Board  that  M?  Goes 
the  Wife  of  Mathew  Goes  JunT  is  exceedingly  111  and  the 
said  Mathew  Goes  Junr  being  by  Parole  restricted  to  certain 
Limits  within  the  District  of  Schodack  has  it  not  in  his  Power 
to  go  and  see  the  said  M-  Goes  therefore  ordered  that  the 
said  Mathew  Goes  JunF  have  Leave  to  go  to  his  former  Place  of 
Abode  at  Kinderhook  and  there  remain  on  his  Farm  and  by  no 
Means  exceed  the  Limits  thereof  till  next  Monday  when  he  is 
again  to  return  to  Schodack  and  that  the  said  Mathew  Goes 
Jim?  while  he  shall  so  remain  at  his  Place  of  Abode  at 
Kinderhook  shall  strictly  adhere  in  all  Things  to  his  Parole  — 

Jurie  Wheeler  of  Livingston's  Manor  who  was  some  Time 
since  confined  by  Order  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners 
then  sitting  at  Claverack  as  an  Accessory  to  the  Robberies 
committed  at  Claverack  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
the  Grand  Jury  having  found  no  Bill  against  the  said  Jurie 
Wheeler  therefore  Ordered  that  he  be  discharged  on  his 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Security  for 
his  Appearance  at  the  next  Court  of  General  Sessions  of 
the  Peace  to  be  held  for  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  on  the 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      275 

third  Tuesday  in  January  next  and  for  his  Appearance    N1778 
[214]  before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners  when   called 
upon  and  future  good  Behaviour 

Jurie  Wheeler  on  Recogniza .  nee  in ....  £100  —  o 

Jacob  Blatner  his  Bail in. ...  £100  —  o 

Jacob  Livingston  of  Livingston's  Manor  who  was  also 
some  Time  since  confined  by  Order  of  the  Board  of  Com- 
missioners then  sitting  at  Claverack  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  the  Grand  Jury  not  having  Indicted  him  as  an 
Accessory  to  the  Robberies  committed  at  Claverack  and 
other  Places  (the  Crime  for  which  he  was  committed)  there- 
fore ordered  that  he  be  eliberated  from  Confinement  on  his 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  Appearance  at  the 
next  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  on 
the  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  and  for  his  Appearance 
before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners  when  called  upon 
and  future  good  Behaviour 

Jacob  Livingston  on  Recognizance  in.   £100  —  o  — 
Jacob  Blatner  his  Bail in .   £100  —  o  — 

Peter  Plass  of  Livingston's  Manor  who  was  also  confined 
by  Order  of  the  Commissioners  at  Claverack  as  an  Acces- 
sory to  the  Robberies  committed  at  Claverack  and  other 
Places  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  the  Jury  not  hav- 
ing found  a  Bill  against  him  therefore  ordered  that  he  be 
discharged  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  General  [215]  Ses- 
sions on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  and  for  his 
appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  when 
called  upon  and  future  good  Behaviour  — 

Peter  Plass  on  Recognizance  in. . .  £100  —  o  —  o 
Jacob  Blatner  his  Bail in. . .  £100  —  o  —  o 

Duncan   M'rDugall  who  was   heretofore   liberated   from 


276  State  of  New  York 


1778  Confinement  on  his  taking  an  Oath  of  Allegiance  to  the 
State  of  New  York  and  who  was  restricted  to  the  Bounds 
and  Limits  of  the  Farm  of  his  Brother  in  the  County  of 
Tryon  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested  us  to  take 
off  the  Restriction  imposed  upon  him  and  we  having  heard 
no  Complaints  alledged  against  the  said  Duncan  M'rDugall 
since  the  Time  of  his  being  released  therefore  ordered  that 
the  Restriction  under  which  the  said  Duncan  M'rDugall  has 
hitherto  laid  be  and  is  hereby  taken  off 

John  TunniclifF,  John  Bullock  John  Johnson  Barney 
Laughlin  and  John  Brooks  who  were  some  Time  ago 
apprehended  and  put  in  Confinement  and  have  since  been 
liberated  upon  giving  Surety  for  their  future  good  Behaviour 
applied  for  Permission  to  go  to  the  Butternuts  &  in  Search 
of  Deeds  and  some  other  Effects  there  concealed  by  them 

Ordered  that  they  be  and  they  are  hereby  permitted  to  go  to 
Cherry  Valley  and  there  to  consult  with  BrigadierGeneralHand 
respecting  the  Propriety  of  their  going  to  the  Butternuts  — 

[216]  David  Miller  who  was  some  Time  since  liberated 
from  Confinement  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
us  that  William  Green  of  Saragtoga  District  was  willing  to 
become  his  Bail  in  the  Stead  of  [blank]  Garnsey  his  former 
Bail  and  the  said  William  Green  having  a  sufficient  Free- 
hold Estate  ordered  that  he  enter  into  a  Recognizance  for 
the  future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  of  the 
said  David  Miller  — 

William  Green   Bail  for  David  Miller 

in £100  —  o 

John  Hogle  who  was  confined  on  the  Information  of  Eseck 
Mosier  as  an  Accessory  to  the  Robbery  of  a  certain  Bacon 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  the  Grand  Jury  having 
found  no  Bill  against  him  and  the  said  Eseck  Mosier  being 
dead  and  no  other  Evidence  having  appeared  against  him 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      277 


whereon  he  could  be  convicted  of  the  Crime  alledged  against    -1778 
him  therefore  ordered  that  be  be  liberated  from  Confine- 
ment on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient 
Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appear- 
ance before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners 

John  Hogle  on  Recognizance  in £100 —  o  — 

Peter  Hogle  his  Bail in £100  —  o  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[217]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment —  JXOV.A. 

Albany  4^  NovT  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          ^   ,-,      , 
if    .        XT-      i          r       }  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     j        (. 

Jacob  Angle  who  was  apprehended  and  confined  for 
going  off  with  an  Intention  to  join  Brant's  Party  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  it  having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said 
Jacob  Angle  did  after  he  had  proceeded  two  Days  on  his 
Journey  towards  the  Enemy  again  return  to  his  Place  of 
Abode  Ordered  therefore  that  the  said  Jacob  Angle  be  dis- 
charged from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  Recogni- 
zance with  a  sufficient  Surety  to  appear  at  the  next  Supream 
Court  of  Judicature  to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City 
of  Albany  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  (or  where- 
soever the  said  Court  should  then  be  held  and  to  appear 
before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  when  called  upon 

Jacob  Angle  on  Recognizance  in..  .   £100 —  o  —  o 
Peter  Angle  his  Bail in.  .   £100 —  o  —  o 

Lotham   Stull  who  was   also  apprehended   and   brought 

.  from   the   Helleberg   and   confined   for  going  off  with    an 

Intention   to   join    Brant's   Party  was   brought   before   the 

Board  and  it  having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Lotham 


278  State  of  New  York 


1778  Stull  did  after  he  had  proceeded  two  Days  on  his  Journey 
towards  the  Enemy  [218]  return  again  therefore  Ordered 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering 
into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  Appearance 
at  the  next  Supream  Court  of  Judicature  to  be  held  at  the  City 
Hall  of  the  City  of  Albany  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  January 
next  or  wheresoever  the  said  Court  shall  then  be  held  and 
before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  when  called  upon  — 

Lotham  Stull  on  Recognizance  in. . .   £100 —  o 
Adam  Dietz  his  Bail in. . .  £100  —  o  — 

Peter  Mesick  Junf  of  Claverack  who  was  apprehended 
on  Suspicion  of  being  Accessory  to  the  Robbery  committed 
on  Arent  Van  Schaack  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  the 
Grand  Jury  having  found  no  Bill  or  Indictment  against  the 
said  Peter  Mesick  JunF  therefore  ordered  that  he  be  discharged 
from  Confinement  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Appearance  at  the  next  Court  of  General  Ses- 
ions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  of 
Albany  on  [the]  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  or  before 
the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  thereunto  required 

Peter  Mesick  Jun?"  on    Recognizance  in .  £500  —  o 
Henry  J  Mesick  his  Bail in .  £500  —  o 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[219]  Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  — 

1778  Albany  5**  Nov^  1778. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r»    T?     j 
J  \       •{  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     ) 

David  Van  Renselaer  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 
of  Monies  paid  out  at  different  Places  in  bringing  to  Goal 
John  Sloss,  Robert  Sloss  and  others  who  had  been  guilty 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      279 


of  several  Robberies  the  whole  amounting  to  £15^14^8      1778 
ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — 1 

The  Worshipful  John  Barclay  Esqf  laid  before  the  Board 
two  Papers  the  one  being  a  Remonstrance  presented  to 
him  by  George  White  Esq?"  and  a  Number  of  other  Persons 
setting  forth  that  Aron  Hammond  the  Person  therein  men- 
tioned is  a  Person  disaffected  to  the  Cause  of  America  and 
praying  that  he  may  not  be  permitted  any  longer  to  keep  a 
Tavern,  the  other  being  a  Recommendation  from  a  Number 
of  Persons  in  Favour  of  the  said  Aron  Hammond  — 

The  Board  having  taken  the  above  Recommendation  and 
Remonstrance  into  Consideration  do  order  that  a  Letter  be 
wrote  to  the  said  George  White  requesting  him  to  appear 
before  the  Board  on  Friday  the  thirteenth  Day  of  November 
Instant  in  Order  to  support  the  Charge  by  him  alledged 
against  the  said  John  Hammond 

John  Sloss  who  was  to  have  been  executed  for  a  Robbery 
by  him  committed  and  received  a  Pardon  from  his  Ex- 
cellency the  Governor  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
it  appearing  to  us  that  the  said  John  Sloss  is  a  [220]  Person 
whose  Testimony  may  be  very  material  in  Order  to  convict 
several  Persons  now  confined  in  Goal  of  Robberies  and 
other  Offences  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  John  Sloss 
enter  into  a  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next  Supream 
Court  to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall  of  the  City  of  Albany  on 
the  third  Tuesday  in  January  next  or  wheresoever  the  said 
Court  shall  then  be  held  — 2 

John  Sloss  on  Recognizance  in £50  —  o  — 

1  The  original  voucher,  receipted  for  David  Van  Rensselaer  by  John  Van 
Rensselaer,  Jr.,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166,  State  Comp- 
troller's office. 

2  John  Sloss  receipted  for  sixteen  shillings,  on  September  19,  1778,  for  a 
weekly  allowance  made  to  him  by  the  Albany  commissioners,  while  he  was 
in  prison. —  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  167,  State  Comptroller's 
office. 


280  State  of  New  York 

James  Knowles  who  was  apprehended  and  confined  for 
the  Robbery  of  Henry  Van  Renselaer  and  was  made  use  of 
as  an  Evidence  for  the  State  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  the  said  James  Knowles  being  an  Evidence  against 
several  Persons  now  confined  in  Goal  Ordered  therefore 
that  the  said  James  Knowles  do  enter  into  a  Recognizance 
to  appear  at  the  next  Supream  Court  to  be  held  on  the 
Third  Tuesday  in  January  next  at  the  City  Hall  in  this 
City  or  wheresoever  the  said  Court  shall  then  be  held  — 

James  Knowles  on  Recognizance  in . .   £50  —  o  — 

Hendrick  Skinkle  who  was  confined  on  the  Information 
of  Nathaniel  Morgan  as  an  Accessory  to  the  Robbery  of 
Arent  Van  Schaack  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  it 
having  appeared  to  us  that  the  said  Hendrick  Skinkle  has 
not  been  indicted  by  the  Grand  Jury  therefore  ordered 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  present  Confinement  on 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Surety  for 
his  Appearance  at  the  next  Supream  Court  to  be  held  on 
the  Third  Tuesday  in  [221]  January  next  at  the  City  Hall 
in  this  City  or  wheresoever  the  said  Court  shall  then  be 
held  or  before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners  when  called 
upon  — 

Hendrick  Skinkle  on  Recognizance  in  £200  —  o 
Peter  Van  Valkenburgh  his  Bail  ...  in  £200  —  o  — 

The  Board  then  adjourned  — 

1778  Met  —  Albany  9^  November  1778. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  A/r    ,        w.      , 
•?  >•       -j  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  Fonda        )        ( 

Received    a   Letter   from   his   Excellency   the   Governor 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      281 


dated  the  ^.h  Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  follow- 

.     ',         N  Nov.  9. 

mg,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 1 

Received  a  Letter  from  the  Honorable  Mathew  Greswold 
Esqf  Lieutenant  Governor  of  the  State  of  Connecticut  dated 
24tj1  October  1778  wherein  he  informs  us  that  pursuant  to 
an  Order  of  this  Board  Bethuel  Huntley  had  appeared 
before  him  and  that  after  he  had  examined  the  said  Bethuel 
Huntley  he  had  confined  him  to  the  Limits  of  the  Town  of 
Lime  in  the  State  of  Connecticut  —  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Stephen  Lush  EsqF  Private 
Secretary  to  his  Excellency  George  Clinton  Esq!  wherein 
he  informs  us  that  it  is  the  Desire  of  the  Governor  that 
Andries  Ten  Eyck  who  has  refused  to  take  the  [222]  Oath 
as  prescribed  by  the  Act  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and 
equivocal  Characters  should  be  sent  with  the  next  Flag 
to  New  York  and  that  Jacob  Legrange  who  has  also  refused 
to  take  the  Oath  should  be  confined  for  Exchange  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

The  Board  then  Adjourned 

Met  —  Albany  13^  Novf  1778.  1778 

Nov.  13. 
rresent 

John  M.  Beekman  ]        (  T          ^    ^      . 
r.    .        TT'      i          f       i  Isaac  L).  ronda 
Mathew  Visscher     ; 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  John  Cummings  in 
Pursuance  of  the  Letter  received  from  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  of  the  5^  Instant2  informing  him  that  it  is  the 
Determination  of  the  Governor  not  to  exchange  him  until 
the  Enemy  shall  consent  to  exchange  Henry  Van  Schaack 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  1891,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library 

2  See  Ibid   for  the  governor's  letter. 


282  State  of  New  York 


1778      and  the  other  State  Prisoners  for  such  of  the  Subjects  of 
Nov.  13.  J 

this  State  as  are  now  confined  in  New  York  which  Letter  is 
in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

William  Bulla  and  Thomas  Woodward  were  apprehended 
for  knowingly  passing  Counterfiet  thirty  and  forty  Dollar 
Bills  and  the  said  William  Bulla  and  Thomas  Woodward 
having  been  searched  a  Number  of  Counterfiet  Bills  were 
found  in  their  Possession  It  was  thereupon  ordered  that  the 
said  William  Bulla  and  Thomas  Woodward  should  be 
examined  and  [223]  the  same  reduced  to  writing  which 
Examinations  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 
Ordered  also  that  the  said  William  Bulla  and  Thomas 
Woodward  be  put  into  close  Confinement  and  that  a  Mittimus 
be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  them  into  his  Custody  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany   14^  NovF   1778. 
Present 

Mathew  Visscher  )        (  T  L     A/T    r>     i 

T          _^   _      ,       >•       •{  John  M.  beekman 

Isaac  D.  ronda    )        ( 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esqf  which  is  dated 
the  9^  Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

William  Bulla  was  Yesterday  confined  for  giving  out  in 
Payment  Counterfiet  Bills  as  for  good  and  true  Bills  emitted 
under  the  Authority  of  the  United  American  States  was 
brought  before  the  Board  in  Order  to  be  again  examined 
and  the  Board  conceiving  it  proper  that  those  Persons  to 
whom  the  said  William  Bulla  has  gaven  [sic]  in  Payment 
other  Counterfiet  Bills  should  be  repaid  out  of  such  good 
Money  as  the  said  William  Bulla  yet  has  in  his  Possession 
therefore  ordered  that  the  said  good  Money  be  taken  from 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      283 


him  which  amounts  to  191  Dollars  and  be  deposited  in  the      1778 
Hands  of  the  Secretary  for  the  above  Purpose  — 

[224]  Thomas  Woodward  who  was  also  Yesterday 
confined  for  giving  in  Payment  Counterfiet  Bills  as  for  good 
and  true  Bills  emitted  under  the  Authority  of  the  United 
American  States  was  brought  before  the  Board  in  order  to  be 
again  examined  and  the  Board  conceiving  it  also  proper 
that  those  Persons  to  whom  the  said  Thomas  Woodward 
has  given  in  Payment  other  Counterfiet  Bills  should  be  repaid 
out  of  such  good  Money  as  the  said  Thomas  Woodward  has 
yet  in  his  Possession  therefore  ordered  that  the  good  Money 
which  he  yet  has  amounting  to  86  Dollars  be  taken  from 
him  and  delivered  to  the  Secretary  for  the  above  Purpose  — 

The  Board  then  adjourned 

Met  — Albany  16^  November  1778. 

J  "  Nov.  16. 

rresent 


Mathew  Visscher  )        ITU     TV/T    D 

_         _    _  \       \  John  M.  Beekman 

Isaac  L).  ronda     ) 


|  John 


Received  a  Letter  from  Zepheniah  Batchelor  and  Andrew 
Wemple  Esq-  two  of  the  Justices  of  the  County  of  Tryon 
dated  the  9^  Instant  inclosing  a  Recognizance  which  accord- 
ing to  our  Directions  they  have  taken  from  Albert  Van 
Der  Werken  whereby  the  said  Albert  Van  Der  Werken 
has  bound  himself  in  the  Sum  of  £200-  o-  o  with  two 
Sureties  who  have  each  bound  themselves  in  the  like  Sum 
to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  Oyer  and  Terminer  and 
General  Goal  Delivery  to  be  held  in  the  County  of  Tryon 
and  also  to  appear  before  any  one  of  the  [225]  Commissioners 
when  thereunto  required  and  to  keep  the  Peace  and  do  his 
Duty  as  a  good  Subject  of  the  State  — 

Received   a  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  at  Pough- 


284  State  of  New  York 


keepsie  dated  the  n^  Instant  wherein  they  inform  us  that 
Hov.  1 6.  J 

they  send  us  £500-  o-  o  which  they  have  drawn   out   of 

the  Treasury  for  the  Use  of  the  Board,  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Ordered  that  the  above  sum  of  £500-  o-  o  be  de- 
posited in  the  Hands  of  the  Secretary  to  be  by  him  accounted 
for  to  this  Board  — 

Then  Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  17*^  NovF   1778. 
Nov.  17. 

[Present] 

John  M.  Beekman  ]  (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     j  (  Petrus  Wynkoop  Junf 

Isaac  Lawson  who  was  some  Time  since  liberated  from 
Confinement  and  restricted  to  the  Limits  of  this  City  appeared 
before  the  Board  and  requested  from  us  Permission  to 
return  to  his  usual  Place  of  Abode  in  the  County  of  Tryon 
ordered  that  he  be  informed  that  the  Board  will  take  his 
Request  into  Consideration  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Frederick  Fisher  Col'  of  a  Regiment 
of  Militia  of  Tryon  County  dated  10^  Instant  informing 
us  that  he  sent  down  to  us  [226]  a  certain  Peter  Davis  lately 
an  Inhabitant  of  Tryon  County  who  went  ofF  and  joined 
the  Enemy  last  Year  &  now  came  over  from  them  and 
surrendered  himself  to  him  in  Hopes  of  being  pardoned  for 
his  Offence  ordered  that  the  Subject  of  the  above  Letter 
be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Request 
of  Isaac  Lawson  and  also  the  Letter  from  Col?  Fisher  re- 
specting Peter  Davis  do  order  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to 
Zepheniah  Batchelor  and  Andrew  Wemple  requesting  them 
to  take  from  the  said  Isaac  Lawson  and  Peter  Davis  a 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      285 


Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  Oyer  and  N 
Terminer  to  be  held  for  the  County  of  Tryon  and  for  their 
Appearance  before  one  of  the  Commissioners  when  there- 
unto required 

Received  a  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaack  dated  i6t:h 
Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  an  Answer  be  wrote  to  the  above  Letter 
of  Henry  Van  Schaack  which  is  to  be  in  the  Words  following 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Ordered  that  Andries  Ten  Eyck  and  Jacob  Legrange 
be  cited  to  appear  immediately  before  this  Board  and  that 
the  Secretary  notify  them  of  this  Order  forthwith  — 

The  Board  then  adjourned  — 

[227]         Met  —  Albany  19^  November  1778. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        ( 
Mathew  Visscher    )        (. 

Thomas  Steenbergh  appeared  before  the  Board  and  pro- 
duced a  30  Dollar  [bill]  which  he  had  received  in  Payment  for 
a  Watch  from  Thomas  Woodward  Ordered  that  the  Secre- 
tary pay  to  the  said  Thomas  Steenbergh  out  of  such  Money 
as  was  taken  from  the  said  Thomas  Woodward  thirty  Dol- 
lars and  that  an  Allowance  of  six  Dollars  be  made  to  the  said 
Thomas  Steenbergh  for  coming  from  Eusopus  to  Albany  which 
Allowance  was  agreed  to  by  the  said  Thomas  Woodward  — 

Peter  Gunsalis  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Beef 
furnished  by  him  for  the  Use  of  the  State  Prisoners  amounting 
to  £92^1  5/;6  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  —  l 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


286  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  20^  Novr  1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (ATI        \r      u 
::  „  r       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda       ) 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  John  M'Clung  Esq* 
requesting  him  to  procure  an  Affidavit  of  the  Service  of  the 
Citation  on  John  Wood  to  appear  and  take  the  Oath  as 
prescribed  to  be  taken  by  Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal 
[228]  Characters  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  also  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Michael  Van  Der 
Cook  requesting  him  to  procure  an  Affidavit  of  the  Service 
of  the  Citation  on  William  Prendergast  to  appear  and  take 
the  Oath  prescribed  for  neutral  and  equivocal  Charac- 
ters which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 

Andries  Ten  Eyck  who  refused  to  take  the  Oath  as  pre- 
scribed by  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  to  be  taken  by  Persons 
of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  appeared  before  the 
Board  according  to  the  Order  of  Yesterday  Ordered  that 
he  be  informed  that  it  is  the  Determination  of  his  Excellency 
Governor  Clinton  that  he  be  sent  with  the  next  Flag  to  New 
York  which  is  to  set  off  from  Poughkeepsie  on  the  27*h 
Instant  and  that  he  hold  himself  in  Readiness  to  be  removed 
to  that  Place  on  Monday  next 

Jacob  Legrange  who  also  refused  to  take  the  Oath  as 
prescribed  by  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  to  be  taken  by 
Persons  of  neutral  and  equivocal  Characters  appeared 
before  [the  Board]  according  [to]  the  Order  of  Yesterday 
Ordered  that  he  be  informed  that  it  is  [the]  Determination 
of  his  Excellency  the  Governor  that  he  be  detained  for 
exchange  and  that  in  the  mean  while  he  be  restricted  by  a 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      287 


Parole  to  the   Limits   and    Bounds  of  this  City   and   that 

1  •  1  +K      T  '1.1 

he  appear  again  on  the  24 f  Instant  to  enter  into  the  said 
Parole 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

[229]          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment —  Hov72i 

Albany  21s?  Nov?  1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  T          ^   ^      ,   , 

it    i        XT-     .         f       1  Isaac  D-  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     j        ( 

Two  Prisoners  brought  down  from  Schohary  by  Order  of 
Brigadier  General  Ten  Broeck  were  brought  before  the  Board 
(whose  Names  are  Adam  Brown  and  Andries  Cline)  and 
were  examined  and  it  appearing  from  the  Examination  of  the 
said  Adam  Brown  that  he  has  been  with  Brant's  Party  and 
lately  returned  from  them  and  it  also  appearing  that  the  said 
Andries  Cline  is  a  German  Deserter  from  Burgoyne's  Army 
and  is  of  a  suspicious  Character  Ordered  that  they  be  con- 
fined and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Sheriff  to  take 
them  into  his  Custody  — 

Ordered  that  an  Advertisement  be  drawn  setting  forth 
that  whereas  William  Bulla  and  Thomas  Woodward  have 
been  apprehended  and  confined  for  passing  Counterfiet 
Continental  thirty  and  forty  Dollar  Bills  and  requesting  all 
Person  or  Persons  who  have  been  imposed  upon  by  the  said 
William  Bulla  and  Thomas  Woodward  by  receiving  from 
them  any  Counterfiet  Bills  to  bring  the  same  to  us  that  they 
may  receive  in  Lieu  thereof  good  Money  and  that  Copies  of 
this  Advertisement  be  sent  to  Pensylvania 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Jonathan  D.  Serjeant 
[230]  informing  him  of  the  Apprehension  of  William  Bulla 
and  Thomas  Woodward  and  requesting  him  to  make  im- 


288  State  of  New  York 


!778      mediate  Enquiry  respecting  them  which  Letter  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Then  adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  — 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  23^  NovF   1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r>»    T-      j 
r,    .        T7.  r       i  Isaac  D.  fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     ) 

Andries  Ten  Eyck  appeared  before  the  Board  according 
to  the  Order  made  on  the  20^  Instant  Ordered  that  In- 
structions be  made  out  to  Isaac  A.  Fonda  who  is  appointed 
to  superintend  the  Removal  of  the  said  Andries  Ten  Eyck 
which  Instructions  are  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners  at 
Poughkeepsie  respecting  the  said  Andries  Ten  Eyck  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  24^  Nov?   1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          ^    r,      , 
J  \       \  Isaac  L).  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     j        ( 

Jacob  Legrange  appeared  before  the  Board  according 
to  the  Order  made  on  the  20^  Instant  Ordered  that  a 
Parole  be  drawn  whereby  the  said  Jacob  Legrange  is  [231] 
to  be  restricted  to  the  Limits  and  Bounds  of  the  City  of 
Albany  and  that  he  is  not  to  hold  Correspondence  upon 
political  Matters  with  any  Person  or  Persons  whatsoever 
nor  do  or  say  any  Thing  in  Opposition  to  the  Measures 
pursued  or  which  may  be  pursued  by  the  Congress  of  the 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      289 


United  States  of  America  or  by  the  executive  or  Legislative   _ 

J  ,6  Nov.  24. 

Powers  of  either  of  them  and  that  He  shall  remain  under 
these  Restrictions  until  exchanged  or  discharged  therefrom 
by  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton  or  any  three  of  the 
Commissioners  —  which  Parole  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  the  Board  that  Alex- 
ander Anderson  who  was  lately  liberated  from  Confinement 
is  gone  over  to  and  has  joined  the  Enemy  Ordered  therefore 
that  his  Security  Peter  M'rKotchen  deliver  him  up  forthwith 
or  that  a  Prosecution  be  commenced  against  him  on  his 
Recognizance  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment — Albany  25^  NovF  1778. 
Present 

John  M   Beekman  ) 
Mathew  Visscher     j 

George  White  Esq^  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  to  support  the  Charge  of  Toryism  by  him  alledged 
against  Aaron  Hammond  this  Day  appeared  and  informed 
us  that  he  compromised  the  Matter  with  the  said  Aaron 
Hammond  and  that  it  was  setled  [232]  in  such  a  Manner 
as  was  satisfactory  to  them  both  —  whereupon  Ordered 
that  the  said  George  White  be  discharged  — 

Adam  Brown  who  was  lately  brought  to  Goal  from 
Schohary  and  examined  was  this  Day  again  brought 
before  the  Board  in  order  to  be  reexamined  and  we  having 
examined  him  ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


290  State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  26^  NovF  1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman 
Mathew  Visscher 

Adam  Brown  was  this  Day  again  brought  before  the 
Board  and  we  having  considered  the  Nature  of  his  Offence 
and  judging  that  he  might  become  a  good  Subject  to  the 
State  should  he  be  released  under  certain  Restrictions 
ordered  therefore  that  he  be  discharged  on  his  entering 
into  a  Recognizance  with  sufficient  Sureties  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  before  one  of  the 
Commissioners 

Adam  Brown  on  Recognizance  in £100  —  o 

Michael  Brown  his  Bail in £100  —  o 

Jost  Brown  also  his  Bail in £100  —  o 

Jacob  Kidney  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Ser- 
vices by  him  performed  as  Marshal  to  the  Board  amounting 
to  £49  /;  4  u  o  Ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  by  the 
Secretary  — 

[233]  Helena  Bogert  appeared  before  the  Board  and  in- 
formed us  that  she  supposed  there  was  a  dangerous  Cor- 
respondence kept  up  with  the  Enemy  by  Duncan  Campbell 
and  Catherine  Coney  Ordered  that  the  Examination  of 
the  said  Helena  Bogert  be  taken  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

I778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  27^  NovF   1778. 

Nov.  27.  _, 

rresent 

John  M.  Beekman  |       ( 
Mathew  Visscher     )        (. 

Upon  the  Information  of  Helena  Bogert  Yesterday  deliv- 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      291 


ered  in  to  the  Board  respecting  a  Correspondence  help  up 
by  Duncan  Campbell  and  Catherine  Coney  with  the  Enemy 
Ordered  that  a  Warrant  be  immediately  made  out  for  the 
Apprehension  of  the  said  Duncan  Campbell  and  Catharine 
Coney  — 

Cornelius  Van  Den  Bergh  laid  before  the  Board  an 
Account  of  Beef  purchased  from  him  for  the  Use  of  the 
State  Prisoners  amounting  to  £63  u  13  u  6  ordered  that  the 
Secretary  pay  the  same  —  * 

Duncan  Campbell  and  Catharine  Coney  for  whom  a 
Warrant  was  issued  were  in  Consequence  of  the  Order 
therein  contained  brought  before  the  Board  Ordered  that 
they  be  severally  examined  and  the  said  Duncan  Campbell 
and  Catharine  Coney  having  been  examined  ordered  that 
they  be  [234]  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out 
to  the  Goaler  to  receive  them  into  his  Custody  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  Cornelius  Humfrey  Esqr  dated  24*^ 
Instant  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Then  adjourned  till  Is*  December  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  if  Dec?  1778.          1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  ^^  visscher 
Isaac  D.  ronaa.       )        ( 

John  Lansing  JunF  Esqr  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 
of  £20  tl  o  u  o  which  he  had  paid  as  a  Reward  to  Lieu- 
tenant Swits  for  apprehending  and  bringing  to  Goal  Philip 
Shaver  and  his  Son  who  were  on  their  Way  to  Canada  in 
order  to  join  the  Enemy  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay 
the  same  — 

'  The  original  voucher,  signed  "  Cornelius  C.  Van  Den  Bergh  ",  is  in  Revo- 
lutionary Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


292  State  of  New  York 


1778  Leonard  Gansevoort  Jim?"  Secretary  to  this  Board  laid 
before  us  an  Account  of  Paper  and  other  Articles  purchased 
by  him  for  the  Use  of  the  Board  amounting  to  £18  u  o  u  o 
ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — 

Abraham  Lansing  and  Abraham  Van  Den  Bergh  laid 
before  the  Board  their  Joint  Account  for  Beef  purchased 
from  them  by  us  for  the  Use  of  the  State  Prisoners  amount- 
ing to  £g$a5ao  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — * 

[235]  Zadock  Wright  who  was  on  the  10*?  Day  of  July  last 
sent  by  the  Council  of  Massachusetts  Bay  to  this  Board 
and  was  by  our  Order  confined  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  as  we  conceive  that  the  said  Zadock  Wright  has 
undergone  an  Imprisonment  sufficiently  long  therefore 
ordered  that  he  enter  into  a  Bond  with  his  Brother  Moses 
Wright  as  his  Security  in  the  Sum  of  £1000  —  o  —  o  for 
remaining  within  the  Limits  and  Bounds  of  King's  District 
and  observing  such  other  Restrictions  as  are  specified  in  the 
said  Bond  which  Bond  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 

Ordered  also  that  the  said  Zadock  Wright  repay  to  this 
Board  £36  —  o  —  o  which  Sum  was  allowed  to  Col'  Elisha 
Porter  for  bringing  the  said  Zadock  Wright  from  North- 
ampton Goal  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts  Bay  to  this 
Place  — 2 

The  Board  then  adjourned  — 

1778  Met  —  Albany  4  Deer  1778. 

Dec- 4'  Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )  (  T          r\   T?     j 

^  >•  •<  Isaac  D.  I'onda 

Mathew  Visscher     )  (. 

1  The  original    voucher,    signed    by    "  Lansingh,"     is   in    Revolutionary 
Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165,  State  Comptroller's  office. 

2  See  the  minutes  of  July  10,  1778. 


Opp.  Vol.   i,  p.  292 


I 

-o 


O 

A 


1 

I 

02 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      293 


Received  a  Letter  from  Ebenezer  Clark  Esqr  One  of  the 

Dec.  4. 

Commissioners  for  the  County  of  Charlotte  wherein  he 
informs  us  that  he  does  not  think  it  advisable  to  permit 
William  Hutton  to  go  to  Skeensborough  at  this  Time  and 
requesting  us  to  detain  him  as  heretofore  until  a  Change 
of  Circumstances  in  that  Quarter  shall  [236]  render  it 
expedient  for  him  to  go  and  reside  there 

Alexander  Anderson  who  we  were  informed  was  gone  over 
to  and  joined  the  Enemy  this  Day  appeared  before  us  and 
informed  us  that  he  had  been  with  Brant  &  Butler  when 
they  were  at  Chamunk  in  Order  to  look  for  some  Horses 
that  had  been  taken  from  his  Farm  and  the  said  Alexander 
Anderson  having  given  us  some  important  Information 
respecting  the  Enemy  and  offering  to  go  to  them  again  in 
Order  to  learn  the  Intention  of  their  future  Movements  it 
is  thereupon  ordered  that  the  Sum  of  £8  u  o  u  be  allowed 
him  as  a  Gratuity1  for  the  Information  given  by  him  and 
that  a  Letter  be  wrote  respecting  him  to  Col!  Butler  of 
Schohary  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)  — 

Johannis  Cough  a  German  Deserter  from  Burgoyne's 
Army  was  brought  before  the  Board  as  being  of  a  sus- 
picious Character  ordered  that  he  be  confined  — 

Thomas  Staats  who  was  of  Brant's  Party  and  deserted 
from  him  and  came  over  to  us  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  we  having  examined  him  ordered  that  he  be  confined 
and  that  the  Goaler  be  requested  to  receive  him  into  his 
Custody  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning 

iThe  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


294 


State  of  New  York 


1778      Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  5t.h  DecF  1778. 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  |       (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher     )        (  James  M'rMaster 

Catharine  Coney  who  was  lately  by  an  Order  of  this 
Board  committed  was  brought  before  us  and  we  having 
[237]  examined  into  the  Nature  of  the  Information  on  which 
she  was  committed  and  finding  the  said  Catharine  Coney 
not  so  culpable  as  we  at  first  imagined  therefore  ordered  that 
she  be  discharged  from  Confinement  — 

Andries  Cline  who  was  some  time  ago  brought  from  Scho- 
hary  with  Thomas  Staats  and  confined  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  we  having  examined  into  the  Nature  of  his 
Commitment  and  finding  no  material  Charges  against  him 
ordered  that  he  be  discharged  from  Confinement 

Duncan  Campbell  who  was  lately  confined  on  the  Informa- 
tion of  Helena  Bogert  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
it  appearing  to  us  that  the  said  Duncan  Campbell  is  not 
guilty  of  the  Charges  alledged  against  him  therefore  order[ed] 
that  he  be  discharged  from  his  present  Confinement 

Johannis  Cough  who  was  Yesterday  confined  on  Suspicion 
of  his  being  a  Person  whose  going  at  large  might  be  danger- 
ous to  the  Safety  of  the  State  was  brought  before  the  Board 
and  we  having  examined  him  and  finding  the  Suspicion 
to  be  rather  Illfounded  do  therefore  order  that  he  be  dis- 
charged from  Confinement  — 

Then  adjourned  till  the  Day  after  to  Morrow  — 
1778          Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  7^  Decf  1778 

Dec.  7. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman 
Mathew  Visscher 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      295 


John  Gumming  who  refused  to  take  [the  Oath]  as  pre-  D1778 
scribed  to  be  taken  [238]  by  Persons  of  Neutral  and  equivocal 
Characters  &  was  in  Consequence  thereof  to  be  removed 
within  the  Enemies  Lines  but  was  detained  by  his  Excellency 
the  Governor  for  Exchange  made  Application  to  the  Board 
to  be  permitted  to  go  and  reside  at  Kats  Kill  with  his  Family 
and  their  being  no  Prospect  of  an  Exchange  taking  Place  as 
yet  for  the  said  John  Gumming  therefore  ordered  that  the 
said  John  Gumming  enter  into  a  Parole  to  remain  within  the 
Limits  and  Bounds  of  the  District  of  Grote  Imboght  and 
abide  by  such  Restrictions  as  are  in  the  said  Parole  specified 
which  Parole  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  Adam  Deputy  Commissary 
of  Prisoners  dated  30^  November  1778  wherein  he  importunes 
us  to  send  down  the  Officers  belonging  to  the  New  Levies 
in  Order  that  he  may  send  them  to  New  York  agreeable  to 
the  Order  of  his  Excellency  General  Washington  which 
Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Abraham  Yates  Jun?  Esq?  laid  before  the  Board  a  Letter 
received  by  him  from  Col*  Levy  Pawling  at  Marble  Town 
wherein  he  requests  him  to  interceed  with  this  Board  for  the 
liberation  of  John  Maginness  from  Confinement  if  the  Cause 
of  Commitment  on  which  he  is  confined  will  admit  of  it  as 
the  said  John  Maginness  may  be  very  serviceable  at  Kings- 
ton in  Ulster  County  as  Carpenter  where  Workmen  are  much 
wanted  [239]  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Ordered  that  the  above  Letter  be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

Met  pursuant  to  Adjournment  —  Albany  S^  DecF  1778 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        f  T          r\    -c     j 
^  }•       i  Isaac  JD.  .bonda 

Mathew  Visscher 


296  State  of  New  York 


1778  Received  a  Letter  from  Coll  Hay  Deputy  Quarter  Master 
General  wherein  he  informs  the  Board  that  Mr  Shurtliffe 
an  Assistant  Quarter  Master  to  him  was  in  the  Execution 
of  his  Office  taken  a  Prisoner  at  the  Time  Col1  Baylor's 
Regiment  was  surprized  by  the  Enemy  in  the  Jersies  and 
requesting  Us  to  bring  about  an  Exchange  for  him  if  possible 
which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esqf  dated  27^ 
November  1778  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following, 
to  wit,  (prout)  — 

Jotham  Bemus  for  the  Apprehension  of  whom  a  Warrant 
was  issued  some  Time  since  was  this  Day  brought  before 
the  Board  ordered  that  the  Charges  alledged  the  said  Jotham 
Bemus  be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

Then  adjourned  till  to  Morrow  Morning  — 


MANUSCRIPT    MINUTES 

,. 

VOL.  II. 

397 


[i]  Met  Albany  9^  December  1778  —  '778 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          T^   T?     j 
ATI        T7«      i  f        )  Isaac  U.  Jbonda 

Mathew  Visscher       )        ( 

The  Board  having  taken  into  consideration  the  Letter 
received  from  John  Adam  Esq-  Deputy  Commissary  Genaral 
of  Prisoners  respecting  Peter  Ten  Broeck  and  others  and  as 
the  Officers  belonging  to  the  New  Levies  are  peculiarly 
circumstanced  being  most  of  them  indicted  for  high  Treason 
therefore  resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners 
at  Poughkeepsie  containing  the  perticular  charge  against 
each  of  them  and  requesting  their  Opinion  as  to  the  Propriety 
of  complying  with  the  request  of  the  said  Commissary  of 
Prisoners  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit) 
(see  Letter  on  File)  — 

Resolved  that  an  order  be  drawn  on  Gerard  Bancker  Esqs 
Treasurer  of  this  State  for  One  thousand  Pounds  to  defray 
the  Expences  of  this  Board  and  that  he  pay  the  same  to  John 
McKesson  Esq^. 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  charges 
alledged  against  Jotham  Bemus  and  being  of  Opinion  that 
his  going  at  large  may  prove  dangerous  to  the  Safety  & 
wellfare  of  the  State  therefore  resolved  that  he  be  confined 
and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  him  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  10^.  December  1778.  1778 

Present  Dec'  I0' 

John  M.  Beeckman  ) 
Mathew  Visscher      j 


300  State  of  New  York 


Dec77io  ^  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq-  dated  4^?  [2]  Instant 
was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  file). 

Samuel  Bagnell  who  was  some  time  ago  taken  a  Prisoner 
by  a  Party  of  Continental  Troops  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  examined  and  on  his  Examination  says  that 
he  is  a  Soldier  in  Sir  John  Johnson's  Regiment  &  that  he 
at  this  Time  considered  himself  as  such  ordered  that  he  be 
recommitted. 

James  Mar  who  was  taken  a  prisoner  by  the  Indians 
at  the  Destruction  of  Cherry  Valley  appeared  before  the 
Board  and  was  examined  after  which  he  was  discharged. 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  14*  December  1778  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  |       ( 
Mathew  Visscher       )        ( 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Letter 
of  Col-  Pawling  respecting  John  Maginness  and  finding 
nothing  particular  against  him  do  therefore  resolve  that 
he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recogni- 
zance with  a  sufficient  surety  to  appear  before  any  one 
of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  or  any  Judicial 
Authority  when  called  upon  and  for  his  future  good  Be- 
haviour untill  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

John  Maginness  on  Recognizance  in £100 

James  Caldwell  his  Bail in £100 

Elizabeth  Bagnell  wife  of  Samuel  Bagnell  ap-  [3]  peared 
before  the  Board  and  informed  us  that  Captain  Ballard 
of  Col1-  Alden's  Regiment  with  a  Party  of  Men  had  been  at 
her  Habitation  taken  from  thence  all  her  Cattle  Household 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      301 


Furniture  and  Cloathing  disposed  of  the  same  and  converted  _ 
the  Money  to  his  own  use  and  that  she  has  at  this  time 
nothing  werewith  to  support  herself  and  four  small  Children 
resolved  that  the  Conduct  of  Cap-  Ballard  be  represented 
to  the  Honorable  Brigadier  General  James  Clinton  — 

Elisha  Marsh  who  was  by  a  Party  of  Continental  Troops 
taken  at  the  Butternuts  and  brought  down  as  a  Prisoner 
to  this  place  requested  Permission  from  the  Board  to  enlist 
in  the  Continental  Army  &  there  being  no  perticular  Charge 
against  the  said  Elisha  Marsh  resolved  that  Leave  be  granted 
him  accordingly  and  that  the  Goaler  be  ordered  to  discharge 
him  from  Confinement. 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  15^  December  1778  —  Dec^s. 

Present 

Tohn  M.  Beeckman  )        f  T          ^   ^      , 
r,    .        ,,.     ,  h       1  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher       j        ( 

Resolved  William  Sanders  be  liberated  from  Confinement 
on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  untill  discharged  by  this 
Board  — 

William  Sanders  on  Recognizance  in  .......  £100 

Johannis  Heemstraet  his  Bail  ...  .in  .......  £100 

Adjourned. 

[4]  Met  Albany  21-  December  1778.  1778 

J-/6C.    21* 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )         (  T         r>i   T-      i 
A/T    r       w      i  f       1  Isaac  D.  tonda 

Mathew  Visscher  ) 


302  State  of  New  York 

.^1778  An  Affidavit  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  George  Bartow  a 
Private  of  Coll  Gansevoort's  Regiment  wherein  he  deposes 
that  on  the  18—  Instant  being  at  the  house  of  James  Furn- 
wall Innholder  in  this  City  the  said  James  Furnwall  urged 
the  said  George  Bartow  to  join  the  British  Army  and  offered 
him  Money  to  carry  him  to  the  Enemies  Lines  and  the  Board 
having  taken  the  Charges  in  the  said  Affidavit  alledged 
against  the  said  James  Furnwail  into  Consideration  do 
thereupon  resolve  that  a  warrant  be  made  out  for  the  im- 
mediate Apprehension  of  the  said  James  Furnwall  and  that 
the  Goaler  be  ordered  to  take  him  into  his  Custody. 

A  Petition  of  Jotham  Bemus  was  laid  before  the  Board 
ordered  that  he  be  informed  that  the  Board  will  take  the 
same  into  Consideration  — 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  26-  December  1778 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  \        (  j          n   F     H 
Mathew  Visscher  j        ( 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Infor- 
mation exhibited  against  James  Furnwall  by  George  Bartow 
and  they  having  Reason  to  suspect  the  truth  of  the  said 
Information  do  therefore  resolve  that  the  said  [5]  James 
Furnwall  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  for  his  Appearance  before  any  One  of 
the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  and 
for  his  future  good  Behaviour  untill  discharged  by  this 
Board. 

James  Furnwall  of  the  City  of  Albany  Inn- 
keeper on  Recognizance  in £500 

Adjourned. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      303 


Met  Albany  28^?  December  1778  ^0 

T.  '  ' '  Dec.  28. 

Present 

Teremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  T          r\   •&     j 
*_  TT-      i  f       1  Isaac  D.  .Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher  ( 

The  Board  having  taken  into  their  Consideration  the 
Prayer  of  the  Petition  of  Jotham  Bemus  do  resolve  that  the 
Secretary  make  out  the  Charges  and  Allegations  exhibited 
before  us  against  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  &  deliver  him  a 
Copy  of  the  same  and  also  notify  him  that  the  Board  will 
on  monday  the  4-  day  of  January  next  hear  such  Evidence 
in  his  defence  as  he  may  conceive  will  exculpate  him  from 
the  Charges  alledged  against  him  and  that  the  Secretary 
also  give  timely  notice  to  the  Persons  who  have  given  Infor- 
mation against  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  to  appear  on  the 
above  day  and  in  order  to  give  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  a 
better  oppertunity  to  collect  his  Evidences  It  is  resolved 
that  he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  with  sufficient  surety  for  his  Appearance 
on  the  said  fourth  day  of  January  next  &  for  his  abiding  by 
such  order  as  the  Board  shall  then  make  respecting  him  — 

[6]  Jotham  Bemus  of  Stillwater  on  Recog- 
nizance  in.. . .  £500 

Job  Wright  of  the  same  place  his  Bail  in ...  £500 

A  Letter1  from  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton  dated 
the  23-  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  requests 
the  Members  of  this  Board  in  Conjunction  with  General 
Schuyler  and  General  Clinton  to  take  such  Measures  as 
will  be  most  likely  to  effect  an  Exchange  for  the  unfortunate 
Inhabitants  of  Cherry  Valley  who  are  in  Captivity  with 
the  enemy  in  Canada. 

Adjourned. 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  2001,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library. 


304  State  of  New  York 


Met  Albany  2?"?  January  1779. 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  T          T^   T-     j 

i/r  w      u  f       1  Isaac  D-  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Jonathan  D.  Serjeant  Esqr  Attorney  Gen- 
eral for  the  State  of  Pensylvania  respecting  William  Bulla 
and  Thomas  Woodward  was  laid  before  the  Board  which 
Letter  is  dated  the  9-  December  1778  and  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File). 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  subject 
of  the  Letter  received  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor  do 
order  that  in  Compliance  with  the  Request  contained  in 
the  said  Letter  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  and  Isaac  D. 
Fonda  two  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  wait  on  General 
Schuyler  and  General  Clinton  in  order  to  bring  about  if 
possible  the  Exchange  proposed  by  his  Excellency  — 

Adjourned  — 

[?]  Met  Albany  4*  January  1779 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  T          r\   T-     j 
*/r    i        TT-      i  r       1  Isaac  L).  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

The  Board  having  been  informed  that  Tom  the  Negro 
Man  of  Henry  Hogan  who  was  by  the  Committee  of  the 
City  and  County  of  Albany  confined  for  seducing  a  Number 
of  Negroes  to  join  the  Enemy  and  was  some  time  since  on 
Account  of  his  Indisposition  released  from  Confinement  is 
endeavouring  to  Stir  up  the  minds  of  the  Negroes  against 
their  Masters  and  raising  Insurrections  among  them  Re- 
solved in  Consequence  thereof  that  a  warrant  be  made  out 
for  the  Apprehension  of  the  said  Negroe  Man  Tom  and 
that  the  Goaler  be  ordered  to  take  him  into  his  Custody  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      305 


The  Board  having  been  informed  that  John  Roff  is 
endeavouring  by  every  Means  in  his  Power  to  depreciate  the 
Credit  of  the  Paper  Currency  emitted  by  the  Congress  of 
the  United  States  which  Conduct  having  a  dangerous 
Tendency  resolved  therefore  that  the  said  John  Roff  be 
cited  forthwith  to  appear  before  this  Board.  — 

Jotham  Bemus  who  by  an  order  of  this  Board  was  to 
appear  this  day  appeared  with  George  Palmer  Esq-  ,  Eben- 
ezer  Marvin,  George  Easton,  Peter  Maginness  and  [blank] 
Parks  as  his  witnesses  in  order  to  invalidate  the  charges 
alledged  against  him  Ordered  that  the  Enquiry  into  the 
Charges  against  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  be  postponed  till 
to  Morrow  Morning  as  the  Witnesses  against  the  said 
Jotham  Bemus  have  not  yet  appeared. 

[8]  John  Roff  refusing  to  appear  agreeable  to  the  order 
of  this  Board  It  is  therefore  resolved  that  a  warrant  be  made 
out  directed  to  Jacob  Kidney  forthwith  to  apprehend  and 
bring  before  us  the  said  John  Roff. 

John  Roff  having  been  apprehended  was  brought  before 
the  Board  and  having  exculpated  himself  from  the  charge 
alledged  against  him  and  making  a  satisfactory  Conces- 
sion for  his  not  appearing  according  to  our  order  he  was 
discharged. 

John  M.  Dorn  and  Barber  Dorn  his  wife  were  brought 
before  the  Board  and  charged  with  having  secreted  a  Number 
of  stolen  Effects  and  they  being  severally  examined  resolved 
that  the  said  John  M.  Dorn  be  confined  and  that  the  said 
Barber  Dorn  be  discharged  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made 
out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  the  said  John  M.  Dorn  into 
his  Custody. 

William  Hutton  who  some  time  since  received  a  Pass  from 
this  Board  to  go  to  the  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Con- 
spiracies at  Charlotte  County  to  sollicit  a  Pass  from  them  to  go 


306  State  of  New  York 


1779  to  his  former  place  of  abode  at  Skeensborough  appeared 
again  before  this  Board  with  a  peremptory  Order  from  the 
said  Commissioners  not  to  appear  again  in  that  Quarter 
ordered  in  Consequence  thereof  that  the  said  William  Hutton 
continue  and  remain  within  the  Limits  of  this  City  and  not 
depart  the  same  without  Leave  previously  obtained  of  this 
Board  for  that  Purpose  — 

Adjourned. 

j£?95.        t9]  Met  Albany  5*  January  1779. 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        C 
Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioners 
for  Conspiracies  of  Charlotte  County  requesting  them  to 
transmit  to  this  Board  the  Charges  exhibited  before  them 
against  William  Hutton. 

Whereas  it  has  been  represented  to  this  Board  that  George 
Herchemer  of  Tryon  County  has  been  restricted  to  his  Farm 
by  William  Wells  Esqr  under  a  Pretence  of  disaffection  to 
the  American  Cause  and  it  appearing  to  us  from  sundry 
Circumstances  that  the  going  at  large  of  the  said  George 
Herchemer  will  not  endanger  the  safety  of  the  State  therefore 
resolved  that  the  said  George  Herchemer  have  Permission  to 
go  at  large  untill  the  further  order  of  this  Board. 

The  witnesses  Yesterday  produced  by  Jotham  Bemus 
were  this  day  again  brought  before  the  Board  resolved 
that  their  Examinations  under  oath  be  taken  and  that  the 
Examination  of  Hezekiah  Dunham  the  Person  who  gave 
information  against  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  be  also  taken. 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Evidence 
produced  by  Jotham  Bemus  and  the  information  of  Hezekiah 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      307 

Dunham  against  the  said  Jotham  Bemus  do  resolve  that  the      J779 
said  Jotham  Bemus  enter  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  and   appearance  when  called   upon   untill 
discharged  by  this  Board. 

Jotham  Bemus  of  Stillwater  in £500 

Ebenezer  Marvin  of  the  same  place  his  Bail 
in £500 

[10]  Resolved  that  Citations  be  made  out  and  sent  to 
Frederick  Berringer,  Christian  Cooper,  Peter  Scherp,  John 
Kelly,  Johannis  Ostrander,  Philip  Herreway,  and  Jurie 
Emmerigh  commanding  them  to  appear  before  this  Board 
on  the  8*.h  Instant  to  give  their  Testimony  against  John 
M.  Dorn  now  in  Confinement. 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  7^  January  1779.  *779 

_  Jan*  7» 

rresent 

John  M.  Beeckman  }        (  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer 
Mathew  Visscher       j       |  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  by  Major  Isaac 
Goes  of  Necessaries  provided  by  him  for  the  Party  of  Men 
who  apprehended  Neal  Taylor  amounting  to  5^  resolved 
that  the  same  be  paid. 

It  was  also  resolved  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Isaac  D. 
Fonda  Esq-  one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  the  sum  of 
£100.  in  Part  Payment  for  his  wages  as  Commissioner  for 
Conspiracies.1 

A  Letter  from  John  Kortz  Jun-  dated  21—  December  last 
was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File) 

1  Fonda's  full  bill  for  services,  between  April  13,  1778,  and  April  29,  1783, 
amounting  to  ,£467  a  igs.  //6d.,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40, 
p.  160,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


308  State  of  New  York 


1779  A  Letter  from  Major  Jacob  Schermerhorn  dated  4- 
Instant  was  also  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in 
the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File). 

Adjourned. 
1779         [n]  Met  Albany  8^  January  1779. 

jati.  o» 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j       \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

James  Robins  who  was  heretofore  liberated  from  Con- 
finement on  Recognizance  appeared  before  the  Board  and 
requested  Permission  to  go  to  Philadelphia  resolved  that  a 
Pass  for  that  Purpose  be  granted  him  on  his  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  to  return  again  to  this  Place  within  the 
space  of  three  weeks. 

James  Robins  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Mathew  Watson  of  the  City  of  Albany  his 
Bail  in £100 

It  is  ordered  that  they  [sic]  Secretary  pay  Mathew  Visscher 
Esq-  £100  in  Part  Payment  of  his  wages  as  Commissioner 
for  Conspiracies. 

Ordered  that  they  [sic]  Secretary  take  out  of  the  Money 
by  us  deposited  in  his  Hands  in  Part  Payment  of  his  wages  as 
Secretary  to  this  Board  the  sum  of  £"150  — 

Frederick  Berringer,  Christian  Cooper,  Peter  Scherp,  John 
Kelly,  Johannis  Ostrander,  Philip  Herreway,  and  Jurie 
Emmerigh  who  were  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to  give 
their  Testimony  against  John  M.  Dorn  appeared  &  were 
examined  and  the  said  John  M.  Dorn  confessing  the 
Charges  alledged  against  him  thereupon  resolved  that  he 
be  recommitted. 

Adjourned. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      309 

[12]  Met  Albany  12-  January  1779.  i?79 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman          )       j  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  f       (  Isaac  D.  Fonda. 

Major  Jacob  Schermerhorn  appearing  before  the  Board 
requested  Permission  for  Dirck  Gardinier  (who  is  confined 
by  Parole  to  Schodack)  to  accompany  him  to  Kinderhook  to 
transact  some  Business  in  which  the  said  Dirck  Gardinier* s 
Presence  is  absolutely  requisite  and  as  every  Mark  of 
Attention  is  due  to  the  said  Jacob  Schermerhorn  on 
account  of  his  uniform  Attachment  to  the  American  Cause 
therefore  resolved  that  the  said  Dirck  Gardinier  have 
Leave  granted  him  accordingly  and  that  he  return  to  the 
Limits  prescribed  by  his  Parole  when  the  said  Business 
shall  be  compleated  — 

Stephen  Bell  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of 
Wood  by  him  Purchased  for  the  use  of  the  State  Pris- 
oners amounting  to  £24^,12  ordered  that  the  same  be 
paid  — 1 

The  Board  having  a  few  days  since  sent  for  John  Roff 
on  a  Complaint  entered  against  him  for  depreciating  the 
Credit  of  the  Paper  Currency  and  not  being  possessed  of 
sufficient  Proffs  at  that  time  discharged  him  but  having  since 
been  informed  that  John  Bartel  is  able  fully  to  prove  the  said 
Charge  against  him  thereupon  ordered  that  the  said  John 
Bartel  and  John  Roff  be  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  at 
10  OClock  to  Morrow  Morning. 

Adjourned. 

>The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  169, 
State  Comptroller's  office- 


310  State  of  New  York 


1779          [13]  Met  Albany  13^  January  1779 

Jan.  13. 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman          )        j  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  }        ( Isaac  D.  Fonda. 

John  RofF  and  John  Bartel  appearing  before  the  Board 
according  to  the  order  of  Yesterday  and  the  said  John  Bartel 
being  examined  and  it  appearing  from  his  Examination  that 
the  said  John  RofF  has  endeavoured  by  every  means  in  his 
Power  to  depreciate  the  Credit  of  the  Continental  Currency 
thereupon  resolved  that  the  said  John  Roff  enter  into  a  Bond 
with  sufficient  sureties  in  the  sum  of  £5000  neither  by  him 
self  or  his  Agents  to  raise  an  Exorbitant  Price  on  the  Sale  of 
any  Goods  Wares  or  Merchandizes  or  Purchase  or  sell  any 
at  an  exorbitant  Price  or  unjust  Profit  — 

His  Excellency  the  Governor  having  by  Letter  signified 
to  us  that  John  D.  Goes  with  Henry  Van  Schaack  &  others 
should  be  detained  for  Exchange  and  the  said  John  D.  Goes 
having  at  the  time  he  was  to  have  been  removed  within  the 
Enemies  Lines  been  detained  for  the  Purpose  of  giving  his 
Testimony  in  Favour  of  a  Person  confined  in  the  Goal  in  this 
City  who  was  to  be  tried  for  a  Capital  Offence  &  the  said 
Person  having  since  made  his  Escape  from  Prison  It  is 
resolved  that  the  said  John  D.  Goes  be  cited  forthwith  to 
appear  before  this  Board. 

Adjourned. 

1779  Met  Albany  ic£  January  1770. 

Jan'  IS-  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman          }        (  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

[14]  John  Wood  who  was  by  the  Board  adjudged  to  be  a 
Person  of  a  neutral  and  equivocal  character  and  was  in  Con- 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      311 


sequence  thereof  cited  to  appear  to  take  the  Oath  prescribed 
by  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State  appearing  laid  before 
the  Board  a  Certificate  signed  by  Peter  Cantine  JunF  Esq- 
setting  forth  that  the  said  John  Wood  has  in  October  1777 
taken  before  him  the  oath  of  Allegiance  resolved  in  Con- 
sequence of  the  said  Certificate  that  he  be  discharged. 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Cornelius  Humphrey 
Esqf  One  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  the  sum  of  £42.  on 
account  of  his  wages  as  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  — 1 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  John  M.  Beeckman 
EsqF  one  of  the  members  of  this  Board  the  sum  of  £100  on 
Account  of  his  Wages  as  Commissioner  for  Conspiracies.2 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  21^  January  1779.  Jan77?i. 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          TA   T-     j 
;_.  >       «  Isaac  L).  Tonda 

Mathew  Visscher      j        (. 

John  D.  Goes  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
appearing  resolved  that  a  Parole  be  drawn  restricting  the  said 
John  D.  Goes  to  certain  Limits  at  Schodack  in  the  Manor  of 
Rensselaerwyck  which  Parole  is  in  the  words  following  (to 
wit)  (see  Parole  on  File)  — 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  by  John  H.  Beeck- 
man Esq-  for  Beef  purchased  from  him  for  the  Use  of  the 
State  Prisoners  amounting  to  £19  u  16  a  o  u  ordered  that  the 
same  be  paid  — 3 

[15]  A  Letter  from  John  M^Clung  Esq^  One  of  the  Com- 

1  A  voucher  which  includes  this  payment  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  160,  State  Comptroller's  office. 

1  A  bill  for  his  services,  between  April  13,  1778,  and  April  29,  1783,  is  in 
ibid,  p.  1 60. 

»The  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  166,  State  Comp- 
troller's office. 


312  State  of  New  York 


m^ss'oners  f°r  Conspiracies  of  Charlotte  County  dated  the 
l6^  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in 
the  following  words  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File). 

Adjourned. 

J779  Met  Albany  22-  January  1770 

"••  23'  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman          ]       j  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 

A  Letter  from  Lambert  Burghart  confined  on  Parole  to 
Schodack  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  the  said  Lam- 
bert Burghart  informs  us  that  his  Mother  in  Law  who  re- 
sides at  Kinderhook  is  Extreamly  111  and  requests  Permis- 
sion for  a  few  days  to  go  and  visit  her  and  the  said  request 
being  taken  into  Consideration  resolved  that  he  have  Per- 
mission granted  him  accordingly  for  the  space  of  Six  days. 

Resolved  on  Application  of  John  Lansing  Jun-  Esq-  that  the 
Mittimus  of  this  Board  against  George  Mar  be  withdrawn. 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  25     January  1779. 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda. 

Joseph  Shannon  a  Deserter  from  the  British  Army  having 
been  apprehended  and  brought  before  the  Board  was  exam- 
ined and  he  appearing  to  be  a  person  whose  going  at  large 
may  prove  detrimental  to  the  safety  of  the  State  resolved 
[16]  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  received 
him  into  his  Custody. 

Cap-  Moses  Wright  of  Brattleborough  appeared  before  the 
Board  with  a  Petition  signed  by  a  Number  of  the  Inhabi- 
tans  of  Cumberland  County  containing  a  request  that  Major 
Zadock  Wright  restricted  by  Parole  to  Kings  District  may 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      313 

be  permitted  to  remove  to  the  Town  of  Brattleborough  in      *779 
the  said  County  of  Cumberland  and  the  Board  having  taken 
the  same  into  Consideration  do  resolve  that  the  Prayer  of 
the  said  Petition  cannot  be  granted  — 

Cap*  Robert  Woodward  appearing  informed  the  Board 
that  a  Number  of  disaffected  Persons  frequently  resort  to 
the  House  of  Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh  residing  in  the 
Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck  that  at  a  late  Meeting  of  the  said 
Persons  at  which  were  present  John  Van  Valkenburgh,  John 
Rysdorp,  Leonard  Rysdorp,  Thomas  Witbeeck,  Jacobus 
Pool,  John  Pool,  Harmanus  Salsbury,  Hendrick  P.  Van 
Buren,  Peter  Van  Buren,  Joachim  Van  Valkenburgh,  Ger- 
rit  M.  Pool,  and  Jacob  Skinkle,  he  the  said  Robert  Wood- 
ward together  with  his  Brother  in  Law  Joseph  Fitch  went 
to  the  House  of  the  said  Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh  in 
order  to  disperse  them  and  that  when  they  came  there  the 
above  mentioned  Persons  did  violently  assault  and  beat 
them  resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  said  Information  that 
a  warrant  be  made  out  directed  to  the  said  Robert  Wood- 
ward to  apprehend  and  forthwith  bring  before  us  the  said 
Persons. 

Adjourned. 

[17]  Met  Albany  27^?  January  1779.  *779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  }        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Captain  Robert  Woodward  to  whom  a  warrant  was  di- 
rected to  apprehend  a  Number  of  disaffected  Persons  ap- 
peared before  the  Board  with  Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh, 
John  Van  Valkenburgh,  John  Rysdorp,  and  Leonard  Rys- 
dorp and  Jacobus  Pool  and  they  being  severally  examined 


314  State  of  New  York 


T  I7727  res°lvecl  thay  De  confined  resolved  that  the  Secretary  to 
this  Board  inform  the  said  Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh  and 
the  other  persons  above  mentioned  that  the  Board  will  hear 
and  examine  all  witnesses  who  they  shall  think  necessary  to 
produce  in  order  to  invalidate  the  Charges  alledged 
[against]  them  — 

Adjourned  — 
T  i779  Met  Albany  28^  January  1770. 

Tan.  28.  r>  j  j  j      i  ii 

Present 

Mathew  Visscher  )        (  T          r\    v     j 

TT     ,    A>T-    L  11       f       1  Isaac  D>  Fonda 
Hugh  Mitchell      )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Dirck  Gardinier  dated  26-  Instant  was  laid 
before  the  Board  wherein  he  requests  Permission  to  come 
to  Albany  for  a  few  days  to  settle  some  very  urgent  Business 
and  the  Board  having  taken  the  said  Request  into  Considera- 
tion resolved  that  the  said  Dirck  Gardinier  be  informed  that  his 
Request  cannot  be  complied  with  and  that  the  Board  are  deter- 
mined to  grant  no  Indulgence  of  that  Nature  in  future  — 

Ordered  that  the  secretary  pay  to  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq£ 
[18]  the  sum  of  £43  u  on  account  of  his  Wages  as  Commis- 
sioner for  Conspiracies.1 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Arent  Wempel 
for  serving  a  Citation  on  Hendrick  Frey  at  Canajohary 
amounting  to  £4  u  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  —  2 

An  Account  of  Robert  Smith  for  serving  a  Number  of 
Citations  at  Schenectady  was  also  laid  before  the  Board 
amounting  to  £i  u  4  u  o  a  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  —  3 

Adjourned  — 

1  The  original  voucher  of  this  payment  and  his  full  bill  for  services  are  in 
Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  158,  State  Comptroller's  office. 

*  His  correct  name  is  Myndert  Wemple.     The  voucher  is  in  ibid,  p.  161. 

»The  voucher,  containing  the  names  of  seven  persons  served,  is  in  ibid, 
p.  1  68. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      315 

Met  Albany  29^  January  1779.  1779 

Present  Jal 

John  M.  Beeckman  ]        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j       |  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh,  John  Van  Valkenburgh, 
John  Rysdorp,  Leonard  Rysdorp,  John  Pool  &  Jacobus 
Pool  were  this  day  brought  before  the  Board  to  answer  the 
Charge  alledged  against  them  by  Captain  Robert  Wood- 
ward and  having  heard  the  Evidence  adduced  by  Captain 
Woodward  in  support  of  the  said  Charge  and  having  also 
heard  the  Testimony  of  the  Persons  who  were  produced  by 
the  said  Mathewis  Van  Valkenburgh  and  the  other  Persons 
above  mentioned  to  invalidate  the  said  Charge  and  having 
considered  the  same  resolved  that  they  said  Mathewis  Van 
Valkenburgh,  John  Van  Valkenburgh,  John  Rysdorp,  Leon- 
ard Rysdorp,  John  Pool  and  Jacobus  Pool  be  severally 
bound  by  a  Recognizance  with  sufficient  sureties  to  appear 
before  any  one  of  the  Commis-  [19]  sioners  for  Conspiracies 
when  called  upon  or  any  Judicial  Authority  when  there- 
unto required  and  for  their  future  good  Behaviour  untill 
discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Mathewis  Van  Valkenbourgh  of  the  Manor 
of  Rensselaerwyck  Blacksmith  on  Recog- 
nizance in £200 

William  Van  Wie  of  the  City  of  Albany 
Carpenter  his  Bail  in £100 

John  Van  Valkenburgh  of  the  Manor  of 
Rensselarwyck  Cordwainer  on  Recog- 
nizance in £200 

Peter  P.  Van  Valkenburgh  of  the  same  place 

Farmer  his  Bail  in £100 


3 1 6  State  of  New  York 


1779  John  Rysdorp  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaer- 

Jan.  29.  J  J  . 

wyck  farmer  on  Recognizance  in £200 

Leonard  Rysdorp  of  the  same  place  Farmer 
D°  in £200 

Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer  of  the  same  place 
Farmer  their  Bail  in £200 

John  Pool  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck 
Farmer  on  Recognizance  in £200 

William  Seton  of  the  same  place  Farmer  his 
Bail  in £100 

Jacobus  Van  Der  Pool  of  the  Manor  of  Rens- 
selaerwyck Farmer  on  Recognizance  in . .  £2  oo 

Isaac    Joachim    Van    Valkenburgh    of  the 
same  place  Farmer  his  Bail  in £100 

Jacob  Skinkle  of  the  District  of  Claverack 
Farmer  on  Recognizance  in £50 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  2-  February  1779 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  |       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Resolved  that  Richard  Maginness  be  liberated  [20]  from 
Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  suffi- 
cient sureties  for  his  appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners for  Conspiracies  or  before  any  Judicial  Authority 
when  thereunto  required  until  discharged  by  this  Board 

Richard   Maginness   late    of    Unadilla    on 

Recognizance  in £150 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      317 


Richard    Esselstyne   of    Claverack   District 
Farmer  his  Bail  in £150 

Thomas  Lottridge  of  the  City  of  Albany 
Yeoman  also  his  Bail  in £150 

A  Letter  from  CoU  Cornelius  Humphy1  dated  I-  Instant 
was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  us  that  he 
sends  to  us  Timothy  Scott  who  pretends  to  have  deserted 
from  New  York  and  the  said  Timothy  Scott  being  brought 
before  the  Board  and  Examined  and  appearing  to  be  of  a 
Suspicious  Character  therefore  resolved  that  he  enter  into 
a  Recognizance  to  remain  within  the  Limits  of  this  City 
until  this  Board  or  some  other  Judicial  Authority  shall 
make  some  further  Order  respecting  him  and  that  he  shall 
appear  before  this  Board  when  called  upon  and  keep  the 
Peace  and  do  his  duty  in  all  Respects  as  a  good  and  faith- 
ful subject  of  the  State  untill  Discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Timothy  Scott  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Mathew  Scott  of  Kinderhook  District  Mer- 
chant his  Bail  in , £100 

Resolved  that  Christian  Smith  and  Jonathan  Farguson 
be  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on  Saturday  the  6— 
day  of  February  Instant  at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  and 
that  they  bring  with  them  the  Rifle  Gun  which  Neal  Taylor 
has  committed  to  their  care 

Adjourned  — 

[21]  Met  Albany  6^?  February  1779 —  1779 

Feb.  6. 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  ]        [  Mathew  Visscher 
John  M.  Beeckman  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

1  Humfrey. 


3i  8  State  of  New  York 


Feb76  ^W0  Betters  fr°m  Col1;  Humphrey  both  dated  5^  Instant 
were  laid  before  the  Board  respecting  Christian  Smith  and 
Jonathan  Ferguson  which  Letters  are  in  the  words  follow- 
ing (to  wit)  (see  Letters  on  File)  — 

Christian  Smith  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
appeared  and  brought  with  him  the  Rifle  Gun  of  Neal  Tay- 
lor &  the  said  Christian  Smith  being  Examined  resolved 
that  the  said  Rifle  Gun  be  detained  by  this  Board  untill  the 
said  Christian  Smith  shall  make  it  appear  that  he  came 
honestly  by  the  said  Rifle  Gun  — 

Resolved  that  an  answer  be  wrote  to  the  Letter  received 
from  Coll  Humfrey  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see 
Copy  Answer  on  File) 

Adjourned  — 
1779  Met  Albany  12^?  February  1770  — 

Feb.  12.  r>  J  111? 

rresent 

John  M.  Beeckman  ]        f  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )       \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Nicholas  Kittle  formerly  an  Inhabitant  of  Kinderhook 
who  in  the  Year  1776  joined  the  enemy  and  in  the  Month 
of  November  last  again  deserted  from  them  and  surrendered 
himself  to  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  at  Pough- 
keepsie  was  brought  before  the  Board  by  Col1-  Philip  Van 
Aulstine  of  Kinderhook  and  the  said  Nicholas  Kittle  being 
examined  [22]  and  answering  satisfactorily  to  such  Ques- 
tions as  were  put  to  him  resolved  that  he  be  permitted  to 
return  to  Kinderhook  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
with  sufficient  sureties  for  his  Appearance  before  the  Com- 
missioners for  Conspiracies  or  any  other  Judicial  Authority 
when  called  upon  and  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and 
doing  his  Duty  as  a  Subject  of  the  State  until  discharged 
by  this  Board  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      319 


Nicholas  Kittle  on  Recognizance  in  ........  £200 

John  Kittle  his  Bail  ............  in  ........  £200 

Cornelius  Vosburgh  also  his  Bail  in  ........  £200 

A  Letter  from  Leonard  Gansevoort  Esq?  was  laid  before 
the  Board  wherein  he  informs  us  that  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  has  determined  in  Case  no  Act  is  passed  for  the 
Relief  of  Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck  and  others  to 
proceed  according  to  the  Directions  of  the  said  Act  and 
cause  them  to  be  removed  within  the  Enemies  Lines  which 
Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on 
File)  Ordered  in  Consequence  of  the  said  Letter  that 
Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  and  Gysbert  Fonda  be 
requested  to  appear  before  this  Board  to  Morrow  Morning 
in  Order  that  the  Contents  of  the  said  Letters  may  be  made 
[sic]  communicated  to  them  — 

Adjourned  — 

%. 

Met  Albany  i^  February  1770  1779 

Present  Feb-  '* 

John  M,  Beeckman  }        (  Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer 
Mathew  Visscher       )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Volkert  Dawson  laid  [before]  the  Board  an  [23]  Account 
for  necessaries  provided  for  the  state  Prisoners  in  the  Fort 
amounting  to  £13^17^4  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay 
the  same  —  l 

Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  and  Gysbert  Fonda,  in 
Consequence  of  the  Notice  Yesterday  given  them  appeared 
before  the  Board  resolved  that  the  Contents  of  the  Letter 
from  Leonard  Gansevoort  Esq-  be  communicated  to  them  — 

Adjourned 

1  The  original  voucher,  which  states  that  payment  was  for  keeping  the  tory 
jail  in  the  fort  and  tending  the  prisoners  from  July  30  to  November  12,  1778, 
is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  4.0,  p.  i  67,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


320  State  of  New  York 


*779  Met  Albany  15^?  February  1770 

Feb-  IS'  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  |       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j       \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

A  Letter  from  John  Boyd  was  laid  before  the  Board  re- 
questing Permission  to  take  with  him  to  Philadelphia  Janet 
Clement  heretofore  bound  by  Recognizance  for  her  Monthly 
Appearance  and  good  Behaviour  and  having  taken  the 
said  Request  into  Consideration  resolved  that  Permission 
be  granted  accordingly  — 

Leonard  Gansevoort  Jun-  laid  before  the  Board  an  Ac- 
count of  his  wages  as  Secretary  to  this  Board  amounting 
to  £196  u  o  a  o  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  the  respective  Mem- 
bers of  this  Board  for  their  services  as  Commissioners  for 
Conspiracies  the  following  sums  — 

To  John  M.  Beeckman  ................  £187  a  o 

To  Isaac  D.  Fonda  ...................  £204  /7  o 

Mathew  Visscher  ......................  £185  u  o 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  ..............     £95  u  o 

[24]  Jacob  Kidney  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account 
of  Wages  as  Door  Keeper  to  this  Board  amounting  to 
£60  ai2  ao  Ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  —  * 

Adjourned  — 

1779  At  a  meeting  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  held 
at  the  City  Hall  in  the  City  of  Albany  on  the  19^?  day  01 
February  1779. 

Present 

John   M    Beeckman 

Mathew  Visscher 

1  The  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  169,  State  Comp- 
troller's office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      321 


Resolved  that  Michael  Stopplebeen  be  liberated  from 
Confinement  on  Jacob  Platner  JunF  of  the  district  of  Claver- 
ack  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  the  future  good  Be- 
haviour of  the  said  Michael  Stopplebeen  and  appearance 
when  called  upon  and  remaining  within  the  District  of 
Claverack  aforesaid  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Jacob  Platner  Jun-  of  Claverack   District 
Farmer  on  Recognizance  as  Bail  for  Michael 
Stopplebeen  in  .........................   £200 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  22-  February  1770  1779 

Present  Feb'"- 

John  M.  Beeckman          )        f  ]saac  D   Fon<Ja 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Jonathan  D.  Serjeant  Esqf  Attorney  Gen- 
eral of  the  State  of  Pensylvania  dated  20^  January  last 
was  laid  before  the  Board  inclosing  a  Copy  of  a  Letter  to 
him  from  Judge  Atlee  containing  information  respecting 
William  Bulla  &  Thomas  Woodward  two  prisoners  Con- 
fined [25]  in  Goal  for  passing  Counterfeit  Continental  Money 
which  Letter  and  the  inclosed  Copy  of  Judge  Atlee's  Letter 
are  in  the  words  following  —  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 
A  Petition  of  sundry  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Manor  of 
Livingston  was  presented  to  the  Board  praying  that  John 
Smith  who  has  been  with  the  Enemy  &  is  returned  to  his 
Family  may  be  permitted  to  remain  at  home  as  they  have 
great  Reason  to  think  that  he  will  in  future  behave  himself 
in  a  becoming  Manner  &  faithfully  do  his  duty  as  a  good 
subject  of  the  State  &  the  said  Petition  being  accompanied 
by  a  Recommendation  of  Jacob  Shave  Justice  of  the  Peace 
&  several  Militia  Officers  in  Favor  of  the  said  John  Smith 


322  State  of  New  York 


1779      resolved  that  the  said  petition  &  Recommendation  be  taken 
Feb.  22.    .-,... 

into  Consideration  — 

A  Letter  from  Henry  Van  Schaack  confined  on  Parole  at 
Schodack  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  prays  for 
liberty  for  a  few  days  to  go  &  see  his  Family  resolved  that 
he  be  informed  that  no  Indulgence  of  that  Nature  can  at 
this  Time  be  granted  him  — 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  2^  March  1770  — 

"*•  2'  Present 

John   M.  Beeckman  j        ( Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        \  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

A  Letter  from  Colonel  Hu[m]phrey  on[e]  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies  at  Kinderhook  was  laid  before  the 
Board  wherein  he  i[n]forms  that  Benjamin  Chamberlain  a 
Soldier  belonging  to  Coll  Gratings1  Regiment  of  Conti- 
nental Forces  is  come  in  search  of  Timothy  Scott  a  Prisoner 
Confined  by  this  Board  to  the  Limits  of  [26]  this  City  and  it 
appearing  that  the  said  Timothy  Scott  is  a  Soldier  in  the 
said  Regiment  and  has  deserted  from  the  same  therefore 
resolved  that  the  said  Timothy  Scott  be  delivered  up  to  the 
said  Benjamin  Chamberlain  and  that  Mathew  Scott  who 
became  Bail  for  his  good  Behaviour  and  remaining  within 
the  Limits  aforesaid  be  discharged  from  the  Recognizance 
by  him  entered  into  for  the  said  Timothy  Scott  — 

Adjourned  — 
1779  Met  Albany  22??  March  1770 

Mar.  22.  r> 

rresent 

John  M.   Beeckman          )        j  Isaac  D.   Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van   Rensselaer  j         (  Mathew  Visscher 

1  Greaton. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      323 


Whereas  this  Board  have  received   Information  that  a    v1'7'79 

Mar.  22. 

Number  of  disaffected  persons  who  have  been  With  the 
enemy  are  now  returned  to  their  Places  of  Abode  at  Pecsinck 
and  Places  Adjacent  and  as  it  is  highly  Necessary  that  the 
said  persons  should  be  apprehended  and  punished  accord- 
ing to  Law  It  is  therefore  resolved  that  application  be  made 
to  the  Honorable  Brigadier  General  Clinton  for  a  party  ol 
Men  to  go  in  search  of  the  said  persons  and  also  resolved 
that  Edward  Archer  be  requested  to  go  with  the  said  party 
as  a  guide  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  23^  March  1779  1779 

Present  Mar-  23- 

John  M.  Beeckman  }        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  Esq-  informed  the  Board  that 
agreeable  to  the  Resolution  of  Yesterday  he  has  made 
Application  [27]  to  General  Clinton  who  has  ordered  Lieu4 
Conine  with  a  Party  of  Men  to  be  readiness  to  carry  the 
same  into  Execution  — 

Resolved  that  Lieu-  Conine  be  directed  to  go  immediately 
to  Pocsinck  and  apprehend  such  persons  who  have  been  with 
the  Enemy  all  others  who  appear  to  him  to  be  suspicious 
and  that  Instructions  be  made  out  for  the  said  Lieu?  Conine 
as  follows  (to  wit)  (See  Instructions  on  file)  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Major  Church  at 
Schohary  requesting  him  to  send  a  Party  of  Men  to  Schohary 
Creek  as  far  as  Beakabeen  to  intercept  every  person  who 
may  take  his  rout  that  way  from  Pocsinck  which  Letter  is  in 
the  Words  following  (to  wit)  (see  draught  Letter  on  file)  — 

Also  resolved  that  a  letter  be  wrote  to  Col  Vrooman 
at  Schohary  requesting  him  to  consult  with  Major  Church 


324  State  of  New  York 


1779  with  respect  to  the  carrying  the  above  into  Execution  which 
Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Draught  letter 
on  file)  — 

Adjourned  — 

M*779  Met  Albany  29^  March  1779  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        \  Mathew  Visscher 

The  Board  having  received  information  from  Cap-  Robert 
Woodward,  and  William  Brisie  that  Myndert  Van  Hoosen, 
William  Bartel,  Jeremiah  Miller,  Stephen  Miller,  Tobias 
Salsbury,  James  Hayes  and  Mathias  Pool  have  held  a 
Correspondence  with  several  disaffected  persons  now  With 
the  enemy  and  have  harboured  and  concealed  Tories  who  to 
avoid  Punishment  secreted  themselves  and  it  being  highly 
necessary  that  the  said  persons  should  be  apprehended  [28] 
and  punished  therefore  resolved  that  a  warrant  be  made  out 
directed  to  Martin  Vinhagen  one  of  the  Constables  of  the 
Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck  forthwith  to  apprehend  and  bring 
before  us  the  said  Myndert  Van  Hoosen,  William  Bartel, 
Jeremiah  Miller,  Stephen  Miller,  Tobias  Salsbury,  James 
Hayes  and  Mathias  Pool  — 

Also  Resolved  that  Citations  be  made  out  and  sent  to 
Gabriel  Bresie,  Hendrick  Bresie,  Janakie  Breise,  Benjamin 
Briese  and  Christyntie  Ostrander  commanding  them  to 
appear  before  the  Board  at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  on 
Tuesday  the  first  day  of  April  next  to  Testify  to  such  Matters 
as  they  may  know  respecting  the  said  Myndert  Van  Hoosen, 
William  Bartel,  Jeremiah  Miller,  Stephen  Miller,  Tobias 
Salsbury,  James  Hayes  and  Mathias  Pool  — 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      325 


Met  Albany  Is?  April  1779  J779 

Present  Apr* 1U 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (.  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Martin  Vinhagen  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informs 
that  agreeable  to  a  warrant  from  this  Board  he  has  appre- 
hended Myndert  Van  Hoesen,  Jeremiah  Miller,  William 
Bartel,  Mathias  Pool,  and  Tobias  Salsbury,  and  they  being 
brought  before  the  Board  and  severally  Examined  and 
Hendrick  Bresie  Janake  Bresie,  Benjamin  Bresie,  and 
Christyntie  Ostrander  being  examined  as  to  the  Charge 
alledged  against  Myndert  Van  Hoesen  and  the  other  Persons 
above  mentioned  resolved  on  considering  the  same  that  the 
said  Myndert  Van  Hoesen,  Jeremiah  Miller,  William  Bartel, 
Mathias  Pool,  and  Tobias  Salsbury  take  the  oath  of  Allegiance 
to  this  State  and  that  they  then  be  discharged  — 

[29]  The  Board  having  received  information  from  George 
White  Esq- that  Robert  Martin  is  a  person  disaffected  to  the 
American  Cause  and  that  he  has  drank  the  King's  Health 
resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Information  that  the 
said  Robert  Martin  be  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  on 
the  third  day  of  April  Instant  to  answer  to  the  above  charges 
alledged  against  him  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  9^  April  1779  1779 

Present  Apr' 9* 

John  M.  Beeckman  ]        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (.  Mathew  Visscher 

The  Board  having  received  information  that  Nicholas 
Kittle  who  is  bound  by  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour 
and  appearance  when  called  upon  has  associated  with  Per- 
sons disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  and  that  he  has 


326  State  of  New  York 


*779  exceeded  the  Bounds  and  Limits  prescribed  him  by  the  said 
Recognizance  &  the  said  Nicholas  Kittle  being  cited  to 
appear  before  this  Board  and  appearing  and  being  Examined 
resolved  that  the  said  Nicholas  Kittle  remain  within  the 
Limits  of  this  City  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

William  Hutton  appeared  before  the  Board  and  applied 
for  a  Pass  to  go  to  his  former  place  of  abode  at  S keens- 
borough  resolved  that  he  be  informed  that  no  Pass  can  be 
given  him  for  that  purpose  by  this  Board  and  that  he  be 
directed  to  apply  to  the  Commissioners  of  Charlotte  County — 

Adjourned  — 

1779 
Apr.  10.  Met  Albany  10^  April  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  j.       f  Mathew  y.^^ 
Isaac  D.  ronda          )        ( 

[30]  Captain  Robert  Woodward  having  apprehended  and 
brought  before  [the]  Board  Thomas  Witbeeck  one  of  the 
Persons  who  was  present  at  the  Meeting  at  Mathewis  Van 
Valkenburgh's  and  the  Examinations  respecting  the  said 
Meeting  being  read  and  it  appearing  that  the  said  Thomas 
Witbeeck  Altho  present  at  the  said  Meeting  did  not  assist 
in  assaulting  the  said  Cap*  Woodward  Joseph  Fitch  &  the 
other  Persons  who  attempted  to  disperse  them  whereupon 
it  is  resolved  that  the  said  Thomas  Witbeeck  be  discharged 
and  cautioned  against  such  company  in  Future  — 

A  Letter  from  Mathew  Goes  Jun-  was  laid  before  the 
Board  dated  4*h  I[n]stant  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  file)  — 

Ordered  that  the  subject  of  the  above  Letter  be  taken 
into  Consideration  — 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      327 


Met  Albany  12*-  April  1770  ,  *779 

Present  Apr-  "* 

John  M.  Beeckman  ]        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

A  Petition  signed  by  Col1.  Abraham  Van  Alstyne  and 
Col1.  Philip  Van  Alstyne  and  a  number  of  other  Persons  of 
Kinderhook  District  was  laid  before  the  Board  by  Nicholas 
Kittle  setting  forth  that  the  conduct  of  Nicholas  Kittle 
during  the  Time  he  has  been  at  Home  since  his  Return 
from  New  York  has  been  altogether  unexceptionable  and 
praying  that  he  may  again  be  permitted  to  return  Home 
under  such  restrictions  as  the  Board  shall  think  proper  to 
impose  upon  him  which  Petition  is  in  the  words  following 
(to  wit)  (see  Petition  on  File)  — 

[31]  In  Consequence  of  which  Petition  resolved  that  the 
said  Nicholas  Kittle  have  leave  to  return  Home  and  that  he  be 
cautioned  not  to  exceed  the  Limits  prescribed  him  by  his 
Recognizance  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  ic^  April  1770 — 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  ]        f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j       |  Mathew  Visscher 

From  the  frequent  complaints  which  are  exhibited  to  this 
Board  that  the  wives  of  such  disaffected  Persons  who  are 
gone  over  to  the  Enemy  daily  harbour  Persons  who  through 
fear  of  being  punished  for  their  Crimes  against  the  State 
conceal  themselves  &  their  holding  Correspondance  with 
their  Husbands  it  is  conceived  necessary  that  some  mode 
should  be  adopted  to  prevent  this  evil  &  as  the  removing 
them  within  the  Lines  of  the  enemy  would ,  be  the  only 


328  State  of  New  York 


1779  effectual  Remedy  to  prevent  such  Practises  in  future  there- 
fore Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor  on  this  subject  which  Letter  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File) 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commissioner[s] 
for  Conspiracies  at  Poughkeepsie  which  Letter  is  in  the 
words  following  (to  wit)  (See  draught  Letter  on  File) 

Adjourned  — 

X779  Met  Albany  20^  April  1770 

Apr-  "•  Present 

John  M   Beeckman  |       j  Isaac  Q   Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Kensselaer  )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Lieu*  Philip  Conine  of  Colonel  [32]  Ganse- 
voort's  Regiment  was  laid  before  the  Board  informing  us  that 
he  has  been  at  Pecsink  in  search  of  a  Party  of  Robbers  and  is 
returned  to  Niscuthaw  and  requesting  the  further  direction  of 
this  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit) 
(see  Letter  on  file)  — 

Resolved  that  an  Answer  be  wrote  to  the  Letter  received 
from  Lieu-  Conine  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see 
on  File) 

A  Letter  from  his  Excellency  the  Governor  dated  17- 
Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  on  the  Subject  of  the  Letter 
wrote  to  him  on  the  15^  Instant  which  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

A  Letter  from  Robert  Harper  Esq-  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies  at  Poughkeepsie  dated  17th  Instant 
was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  follow- 
ing (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

A  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq-r  dated  17^  Instant 
was  also  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File) 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      329 

A  Party  of  Continental  Troops  having  apprehended  &  A1779 
taken  Prisoners  James  Kelly,  Francis  Fall,  Adam  Haines 
and  Hendrick  Stater  who  were  on  their  way  to  Join  the 
Enemy  &  they  being  delivered  over  to  this  Board  by  the 
Honorable  Brigadier  General  Clinton  and  being  examined 
and  it  appearing  from  the  Examination  of  James  Kelly  that 
Anthony  Kersikon  has  advised  him  the  said  James  Kelly  to 
go  to  the  Enemy  and  the  said  Anthony  Kersikon  being  now 
Confined  in  Goal  by  Virtue  of  a  Civil  Process  resolved  that 
the  Goaler  be  directed  to  detain  the  said  Anthony  Kersikon 
in  his  Custody  notwithstanding  a  discharge  from  the  Process 
on  which  he  is  now  Confined  — 

[33]  Jonn  Caine  having  been  apprehended  as  a  suspicious 
Person  by  Naning  Visscher  Esql  Justice  of  the  Peace  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  not  being  able  to  give  a  good 
Account  of  himself  therefore  resolved  that  he  be  confined 
and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  him  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  21?*  April  1779  AJ779 

Present 

Teremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        f  »,    ,        T7.      , 
;  •<  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda  )        (. 

Peter  Seger  who  sometime  since  was  confined  for  being 
concerned  in  a  Robbery  committed  on  Teunis  Van  Slyck  and 
has  since  broke  Goal  came  this  day  and  surrendered  himself 
a  Prisoner  to  this  Board  and  informed  that  Hans  Waltymier  is 
lately  comes  from  New  York  as  an  Express  with  dispatches 
for  Butler  and  Brandt  and  that  he  will  provided  the  Board 
give  him  his  Liberty  undertake  to  apprehend  the  said 
Waltimyer  with  his  dispatches  and  bring  to  us  and  having, 
great  Reason  to  suppose  the  above  Intelligence  to  be  true 


Apr.  21. 


33°  State  of  New  York 


1779      do  therefore  resolve  that  the  said  Peter  Seeer  have  Permission 
ADI*    2  x 

to  go  at  Large  for  the  Purpose  of  Executing  the  above  — 
A  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq-  was  laid  before  the 
Board  inclosing  the  Affidavits  of  John  Mynderse  and  John 
Post  wherein  they  swear  that  Jacob  Glen  of  Schenectady  did 
in  there  Presence  drink  success  to  the  British  Army  and 
wished  they  might  conquer  America  with  many  other  Ex- 
pression's inimical  to  the  American  Cause  — 

Ordered  that  the  above  Letter  and  Affidavits  be  taken 
into  Consideration  — 

[34]  A  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq-  respecting 
Abraham  Hait  was  also  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter 
is  in  the  Words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  22^  April,  1779  — 

Apr.  22.  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        f  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (.  Cornelius  Humfrey 

A  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  of 
Charlotte  County  dated  19-  Instant  was  laid  before  the 
Board  wherein  they  inform  that  they  have  apprehended 
Thomas  Down  and  William  Poor  two  Persons  who  they 
suspect  are  come  from  New  York  and  are  on  their  way  to 
Canada  resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Letter  that 
they  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for 
them  — 

Resolved  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler 
commanding  him  to  detain  and  keep  in  close  Confinement 
John  Frobert,  Peter  Finehout,  Abraham  Hoogtaling,  Abra- 
ham Hayt,  Anthony  Kersikon,  James  Kelly,  Francis  Fall, 
Abraham  Haynes,  and  Hendrick  Stater  until  they  are 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      331 


severally  discharged  therefrom  by  any  three  of  the  Com-   A1779 
missioners  for  Conspiracies  or  due  Course  of  Law  — 

It  being  suggested  to  this  Board  that  Henry  Van  Dyke 
of  the  District  of  Kinderhook  declines  to  do  Militia  Duty 
on  Account  of  certain  Restrictions  heretofore  laid  upon  him 
by  the  Committee  of  the  City  and  County  of  Albany  where- 
upon it  is  resolved  that  the  said  Restrictions  be  taken  off 
and  that  he  be  at  Liberty  to  do  his  duty  as  a  subject  of  this 
State  and  that  a  Copy  [of]  this  Resolution  be  immediately 
transmitted  to  him  — 

Adjourned  — 

[35]  Met  Albany  25*?  April  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Remselaer  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

William  Hoogteling  having  been  concerned  in  different 
Robberies  and  being  apprehended  by  a  Party  of  Continental 
Troops1  &  brought  before  the  Board  was  Examined  and 
his  Examination  is  as  follows  (to  wit)  (see  Examination 
of  File)  — 

Resolved  that  he  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  take  him  into  his  Custody  and 
closely  confine  him  — 

A  Letter  from  Major  John  L.  Bronck  dated  23?  Instant 
was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  that  he  sends 
to  us  a  Prisoner  named  Edward  Finn  who  from  the  Exami- 
nations inclosed  in  the  said  Letter  appears  to  have  been 
concerned  in  some  of  the  Robberies  lately  committed  at 


1  The  board  paid  £100  on  May  isth  to  Lieutenant  Philip  Conine  for  him- 
self and  men,  as  a  reward  for  this  capture.  —  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  169,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


33  2  State  of  New  York 


1779      Lonenburgh  which  Letter   &  the  Examinations  are  in  the 
words  following  (to  wit)    (see  on  File) 

Resolved  in  consequence  of  the  above  letter  that  a  Mit- 
timus be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  take  the  said  Edward 
Finn  into  his  Custody  &  closely  confine  him  — 

A  Letter  was  laid  before  the  Board  from  John  Meyers 
dated  2041?  Instant  inclosing  a  certified  Copy  of  the  Act  of 
the  Legislature  passed  in  their  last  Sessions  entitled  "An 
Act  to  amend  an  Act  entitled  an  Act  more  effectually  to 
prevent  the  Mischeifs  arising  from  the  Influence  and 
Example  of  Persons  of  equivocal  and  suspected  Characters 
in  this  State  and  for  continuing  the  Powers  of  the  Com- 
missioners for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies'*  Which 
Act  is  as  follows  (to  wit)1 

[36]  Whereas  by  the  Terms  of  the  said  Law  the  Com- 
missioners therein  mentioned  are  required  on  refusal  of  any 
Person  or  Persons  to  take  the  Oath  or  affirmation  therein 
prescribed  forthwith  to  remove  the  said  Person  or  Persons 
so  refusing  to  any  place  within  the  Enemies  Lines.  AND 
WHEREAS  sound  Policy  and  common  Charity  require  that 
every  Person  so  refusing  should  be  admitted  to  take  the 
said  Oath  or  Affirmation  if  he  or  she  shall  notwithstanding 
such  refusal,  voluntarily  offer  to  take  the  same,  before  the 
Commencement  of  his  or  her  Actual  removal  — 
I—  BE  IT  THEREFORE  ENACTED  by  the  People  of  the  State 
of  New  York,  represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly  and  it  is 
hereby  enacted  by  the  Authourity  of  the  same,  that  every 
Person  who  has  already  refused,  or  shall  hereafter  refuse 
to  take  the  said  Oath  or  Affirmation  and  shall  before  the 
actual  Commencement  of  his  or  her  removal  as  aforesaid 
voluntarily  offer  to  take  said  Oath  or  Affirmation  before 
any  three  of  the  said  Commissioners  shall  be  admitted  to 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  February  17,  1779. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      333 


take  the  same  and  on  taking  thereof  shall  be  and  hereby 
is  declared  to  be  fully  and  wholly  absolved  from  all  the 
Penalties  of  the  said  Law,  such  former  Refusal  or  any 
Thing  in  the  said  Law,  to  the  contrary  in  any  wise  Not- 
withstanding. PROVIDED  ALWAYS  that  nothing  herein  con- 
tained shall  extend  or  apply  to  the  Cases  of  those  who  by 
virtue  of  the  said  Law  now  are  or  shall  hereafter  be  detained 
and  confined  by  the  Person  administring  the  Government 
of  this  State  for  the  Time  being  for  the  Purpose  of  Exchang- 
ing them  for  any  of  the  Subjects  of  this  State  in  the  Power 
of  the  enemy. 

2^  AND  BE  IT  FURTHER  ENACTED  by  the  Authority  afore- 
said that  all  and  singular  the  Powers  and  Authorities  vested 
in  the  [37]  said  Commissioners  are  hereby  continued  until 
twenty  Days  after  the  next  meeting  of  the  Legislature  and 
a  Quorum  of  both  Houses  shall  be  convened  on  Business  in 
like  Manner  as  the  same  are  continued  in  and  by  an  Act 
entitled  An  Act  for  Continuing  the  Powers  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies  passed  the 
29-  day  of  October  last;  and  the  Treasurer  of  this  State 
shall  be  and  he  is  hereby  authorized  and  required  to  pay 
to  the  said  Commissioners  or  any  three  of  them  such  further 
sum  or  sums  as  they  shall  from  Time  to  Time  require  to 
defray  the  Expence  of  the  business  committed  to  them  so 
as  the  Amount  of  such  further  sum  or  sums  shall  not  in  the 
whole  exceed  the  sum  of  three  Thousand  Pounds  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  27-  April  1779.  1779 

Present  Apr' 27' 

John  M.  Beeckman  |  Mathew  yisscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  >       j  j          n    F     d 
Egbert  Benson  J 


334  State  of  New  York 


1779  John  Bradt  of  the  Verebergh  who  was  robbed  a  few 
Nights  ago  appeared  before  us  with  a  certain  William 
Howard  who  he  informed  us  he  had  apprehended  on  Sus- 
picion of  his  being  concerned  in  the  Robberies  committed 
on  himself  and  Michael  Halenbeeck  and  the  said  William 
Howard  having  in  his  Possession  at  the  Time  he  was  taken 
sundry  Articles  belonging  to  Michael  Halenbeeck  which 
were  taken  from  him  on  the  night  he  was  robbed  therefore 
resolved  that  he  be  committed  and  a  Mittimus  made  out 
to  the  Coaler  to  take  him  into  his  Custody  and  closely 
confine  him  — 

[38]  Major  Ezekiel  Taylor  Cap- Van  Den  Bergh  and 
Samuel  Ten  Broeck  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
that  William  Sanders,  John  Concklin  and  Abraham  Names 
are  dangerous  and  disaffected  Persons  who  are  endeavour- 
ing by  every  Means  in  their  Power  to  injure  the  American 
Cause  resolved  that  the  said  Information  be  reduced  to 
Writing  and  filed  — 

Adjourned 

I?79  Met  Albany  28^?  April  1779 

Apr.  28.  Present 


John  M.  Beeckman 
Mathew  Visscher 


Isaac  D.  Fonda 


The  Board  being  informed  by  Major  Ezekiel  Taylor  that 
Daniel  Frazer  who  last  Fall  broke  Goal  is  at  this  Time  at 
his  Home  with  his  Family  and  as  the  said  Daniel  Frazer 
stands  indicted  for  high  Treason  Therefore  resolved  that 
Major  Taylor  be  requested  by  a  Letter  to  send  a  Party  of 
Men  to  apprehend  the  said  Daniel  Frazer  and  forthwith 
bring  him  before  this  Board  — 

The  Board  taking  into  Consideration  the  Petition  of 
several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  Manor  of  Livingston  and 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      335 


a  Recommendation  from  Jacob  Shaver  Esq-  Justice  of 
Peace  presented  to  this  Board  on  the  22-d  day  of  February 
last  do  resolve  that  John  Smith  have  Permission  to  remain 
at  Home  unmolested  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
for  his  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  before  any  one  of 
the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  or  any  other  Judicial 
Authority  when  called  upon  untill  discharged  by  this 
Board  — 

John  Smith  of  Livingston's  Manor  La- 
bourer in £200 

John  Decker  Robison  of  the  same  place 
Farmer  his  Bail  in £200 

Bastian  Beam  of  the  same  place  Farmer 
also  his  Bail  in £200 

Adjourned  — 

[39]  Met  Albany  12*  May  1779.  i779 

May  i. 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          n   T?     j 
r.    .        XT-      i  f        )  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

William  Howard  who  a  few  days  ago  was  apprehended 
on  suspicion  of  being  concerned  in  the  Robberies  com- 
mitted on  Michael  Halenbeeck  and  John  Bradt  was  this 
day  again  brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  which 
Examination  is  as  follows  (to  wit)  (see  Examination  on 
File) 

Albartus  Van  Loon  appearing  before  the  Board  was 
Examined  as  to  the  Robbery  lately  committed  on  himself 
and  Coenradt  Flake  which  Examination  is  as  follows  (see 
Examination  on  File) 

Ms  Luke  the  wife  of  Jacob  Luke  having  been  requested 
to  appear  before  the  Board  for  the  Purpose  of  being  examined 


336  State  of  New  York 


1779  as  to  the  Robberies  committed  at  her  House  appeared  and 
was  Examined  —  which  Examination  is  as  follows  (to  wit) 
(see  Examination  on  File) 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  3^  May  1779 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 

In  Consequence  of  An  Act  of  the  Legislature  for  enabling 
the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  to  Administer  the  oath 
of  Allegiance  to  those  Persons  who  have  refused  and  after- 
wards offered  to  take  the  same1  It  is  resolved  that  Henry 
Ten  Eyck,  Cornelius  Glen  &  Gysbert  Fonda  be  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Board  in  order  that  the  said  Oath  may 
be  Administered  to  them  — 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  [40]  In- 
formation received  from  Major  Ezekiel  Taylor  Cap-  Van 
Den  Bergh  and  Samuel  Ten  Broeck  on  the  27-  day  of 
April  last  do  in  Consequence  of  the  said  Information  resolve 
that  Joseph  Concklin  with  his  son  John  Concklin  be  ordered 
to  be  and  appear  before  this  Board  on  Friday  next  — 

Adjourned 

I779  Met  Albany  4?h  May  1779 

4-  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D   Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        ( 

Col-  Peter  Gansevoort  appearing  informed  the  Board 
that  he  has  received  Information  from  Michael  Henry  a 
Soldier  belonging  to  his  Regiment  now  confined  in  Goal 
for  desertion  that  the  Party  of  Robbers  to  which  William 

1  Act  of  February  17,  1779. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      337 


Hoogtaling  (who  is  now  under  Sentence  of  death)  belonged 
have  hid  and  secreted  in  a  House  near  Pesink  Goods  to  a 
very  great  Amount  and  also  a  Quantity  of  Hard  and  Con- 
tinental Money  and  the  said  Michael  Henry  in  Consequence 
of  the  above  Information  being  brought  before  the  Board 
was  examined  which  Examination  is  as  follows  (to  wit)  (see 
Examination  on  File) 

Resolved  that  the  Secretary  deliver  into  the  Hands  of 
Egbert  Benson  Esqr  the  sum  of  seven  hundred  and  Fifty 
one  Dollars  of  the  Emission  of  the  2O?h  May  1777  and  the 
n?h  April  1778  to  be  by  him  Lodged  in  the  Hands  of  the 
Treasurer  of  this  State  for  the  purpose  of  Receiving  in 
Exchange  for  the  same  Continental  Bills  of  Credit  of  another 
Date  to  the  same  Amount 

Adjourned  — 

[41]  Met  Albany  7^?  May  1779  1779 

May  7. 

Present 

John   M.   Beeckman  )        (  T          ^   T?     j 
;_,__.  >       1  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher         )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Peter  R.  Livingston  Esq-  Justice  of  the 
Peace  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  that 
he  sends  several  Examinations  respecting  William  Lee  and 
that  he  also  sends  to  us  as  a  Prisoner  the  said  William  Lee 
who  he  had  caused  to  be  apprehended  as  a  disaffected  and 
dangerous  Person  and  the  said  William  Lee  being  brought 
before  the  Board  &  examined  confessed  the  Charges 
alledged  against  him  in  the  said  Examinations  but  denied 
his  being  an  Enemy  to  the  American  Cause  and  said  the 
words  spoken  by  him  were  not  with  a  bad  design  but  that 
he  intended  thereby  to  become  acquainted  with  the  Politi- 
cal Characters  of  the  Persons  with  whom  he  was  in  Com- 


338  State  of  New  York 


*779  pany  —  resolv[e]d  that  the  said  William  Lee  remain  within 
the  Limits  of  this  City  till  this  Board  shall  have  made  some 
further  Order  respecting  him. 

Resolved  that  William  Adams  be  liberated  from  Confine- 
ment on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient 
surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  &  Appearance  before 
any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when 
thereunto  required  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

William  Adams  of  the  City  of  Albany 

Cooper  in £100  — 

James  Green  of  the  same  place  Yeoman 
his  Bail  in £100 

William  Hoit  who  was  some  Time  since  confined  was  this 
day  brought  before  the  Board  in  Consequence  of  a  Letter 
from  Col-  Gordon  in  which  Letter  he  informs  us  that  the  [42] 
said  William  Hoit  has  always  behaved  himself  well  notwith- 
standing his  having  for  some  Time  past  been  reputed  a 
disaffected  Person  and  that  he  thinks  the  said  William  Hoit 
may  with  safety  be  liberated  from  Confinement  resolved  in 
Consequence  of  the  said  Letter  that  the  said  William  Hoit  be 
liberated  accordingly  on  his  entering  into  Recognizance  for 
his  future  good  Behaviour  and  appearance  when  called  upon 
before  any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 
untill  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

William  Hoit  on  Recognizance in.  .   £100 

William  Ward  his  Bail in. .  £100 

Adjourned 

1779  Met      Albany  8^  May  1779. 

May  8.  Present 


John    M.   Beeckman  )        (  T          r\   •&     j 
•^  )  Isaac  JJ.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher         )        ( 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      339 

Ensign  Peter  Magee  of  Col?  Gansevoort's  Regiment  laid 
before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Monies  by  him  laid  out  for 
his  Expences  when  after  a  spy  from  New  York  at  Hosick  by 
our  order  and  also  for  Money  advanced  by  him  to  a  Guide 
when  after  a  Party  of  Robbers  in  the  whole  amounting 
£27  „  ios  „  8d  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — l 

Lieutanant  Jonathan  Sever  laid  before  the  Board  an 
Account  of  his  Services  when  after  a  spy  from  New  York 
with  Ensign  Magee  amounting  to  £2  „  o  „  o  ordered  that 
the  Secretary  pay  the  same  — 2 

A  Letter  from  David  Van  Schaack  (confined  on  Parole 
to  certain  Limits  at  Schodack)  was  laid  before  [43]  the 
Board  wherein  he  requests  us  to  allow  him  Permission  on 
Account  of  his  111  State  of  Health  to  ride  on  Horseback  a 
Mile  or  two  beyond  the  bounds  prescribed  him  by  his  Parole 
resolved  that  he  be  informed  that  the  Board  will  take  the 
same  into  Consideration  at  some  future  day  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  lo*.11  May  1779  1779 

Present  Ma?   10- 

John   M.   Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher         )        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

William  Lee  who  was  on  the  7!!?  Instant  brought  before 
this  Board  in  consequence  of  a  Letter  from  Peter  R.  Liv- 
ingston Esq-  and  was  then  ordered  to  remain  within  the 
Limits  of  this  City  and  to  appear  before  this  Board  when 
called  upon  appeared  this  day  and  laid  before  the  Board  a 
Recommendation  signed  by  Major  Samuel  Ten  Broeck  and 
Hendrick  Pulver  Esq-  by  which  the[y]  certify  that  they  have 
been  acquainted  with  the  said  William  Lee  upwards  of 

1  The  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  154,  State  Comp- 
troller's office. 
*Ibid,  p.  152. 


34-O  State  of  New  York 


1779  Eighteen  Months  &  have  always  during  that  Time  found  his 
Conduct  unexceptionable  and  that  they  look  upon  his  to  be  a 
true  Friend  to  the  American  Cause  resolved  in  Consequence 
of  the  said  Recommendation  that  the  said  William  Lee  be 
permitted  to  return  to  his  Place  of  Abode  in  Livingston's 
Manor  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good 
Behaviour  and  to  appear  when  called  upon  untill  discharged 
by  this  Board  — 

William  Lee  of  Livingston's  Manor  Yeoman 
on  Recognizance  in  ....................  £100 

A  Negro  Man  of  Hendrick  Appley  having  been  confined  a 
few  days  since  on  Suspicion  of  being  concerned  in  the  [44]  Rob- 
bery committed  on  Michael  Halenbeeck  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  Nancy  Stewart  on  whose  Testimony  he  was  confined 
being  Examined  and  the  Proff  appearing  to  be  insufficient 
therefore  resolved  that  he  be  discharged  from  Confinement  — 

A  Letter  from  John  D.  Goes  dated  y*h  Instant  was  laid 
before  the  Board  wherein  he  prays  Permission  for  a  few  days 
to  go  and  see  his  family  and  as  this  is  the  first  Application 
of  this  nature  that  has  been  made  by  the  said  John  D.  Goes 
therefore  resolved  that  Permission  be  granted  him  accordingly 
for  six  Days  — 

Adjourned  — 

I779  Met  Albany  11^  May  1779 

May  ii.  Present 

John  M    Beeckman  )        j 
Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Col-  Abraham  Van  Alstyne  of  Kinderhook 
was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  that  Mathew 
Goes  (the  Father  of  Mathew  Goes  Jun-  confined  by  a  Parole 
to  Schodack)  is  extremely  111  and  that  he  is  very  desirous 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      341 

of  seeing  his  son  and  requesting  us  to  indulge  the  said  Mathew   M1779 
Goes  Jun-  with  Permission  for  a  few  days  to  go  and  see 
his  Father  which  Request  being  taken  into  Consideration 
resolved  thereupon  that  the  said  Mathew  Goes  Jun*  have 
Permission  accordingly  until  next  Saturday 

Cap-  Deitz  of  the  Bever  Dam  laid  before  the  Board  certain 
Proposals  which  were  made  to  him  by  the  Tories  Inhabiting 
the  Beverdam,  Hellebergh,  Pocsink  and  other  adjoining 
places  wherein  they  engage  to  prevent  the  Robberies  daily 
committed  in  that  Quarter  provided  those  Persons  [45]  who 
have  gone  off  to  the  Enemy  be  permitted  to  return  Home  and 
remain  unmolested  at  their  Habitations  ordered  that  the 
same  be  Filed  — 

The  Board  having  received  Information  that  John  Donald- 
son is  endeavouring  to  alarm  the  Minds  of  weak  and  ignorant 
People  by  propogating  groundless  Reports  It  is  therefore 
resolved  that  the  said  John  Donaldson  be  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  to  Morrow  Afternoon  at  2  OClock  — 

A  Letter  from  Richard  Esselstyne  and  Lowrence  Fonda 
Esqr:s  Justices  of  the  Peace  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein 
they  inform  us  that  in  Consequence  of  the  Information  of 
Mf  Van  Loon  (whose  Examination  they  have  transmitted 
us  in  the  said  Letter)  they  have  caused  Francis  Barbo  to  be 
apprehended  and  the  said  examination  being  read  and  it 
appearing  that  the  said  Francis  Barbo  has  been  concerned  in 
the  Robbery  committed  on  Albartus  Van  Loon  therefore 
resolved  that  he  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made 
out  for  him  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  12-  May  1779  B/[Iy7?2. 

Present 

John  M    Beeckman 
Mathew  Visscher 


342  State  of  New  York 


MI7792  Lambartus  Van  Alstyne  appearing  Informed  the  Board 
that  Francis  Barbo  (who  was  Yesterday  confined  in  Conse- 
quence of  a  Letter  from  Richard  Esselstyne  and  Lowrence 
Fonda  Esq-)  is  altogether  innocent  of  the  Crime  laid  to  his 
charge  and  the  said  Lambartus  Van  Alstyne  declaring  on 
oath  that  at  the  Time  the  Robbery  happened  at  Albartus 
Van  Loon's  the  said  [46]  Francis  Barbo  was  at  his  House 
Resolved  that  the  said  Lambartus  Van  Alstyne  be  informed 
that  as  soon  as  the  Board  are  well  certified  of  the  said  Francis 
Barbo' s  Character  they  will  liberate  him  from  Confinement 

John  Donaldson  who  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
appearing  and  being  examined  as  to  the  charge  alledged 
against  him  and  it  appearing  that  he  is  innocent  of  the  said 
Charge  therefore  resolved  that  he  be  discharged  — 

Resolved  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  Duncan  MfCon- 
nelly  and  William  Flood  ordering  the  Goaler  to  detain  and 
keep  them  in  his  Custody  untill  discharged  by  any  three  of 
the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  — 

Adjourned  — 
1779  Met  Albany  15  May  1779 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          T-»   i?     j 
t*    i        TT-      i  1  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

Peter  W  Yates  appearing  before  the  Board  for  the  Purpose 
of  taking  the  Oath  prescribed  in  an[d]  by  An  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State  respecting  Persons  of  neutral  and 
equivocal  Characters  resolved  that  the  said  oath  be  admin- 
istred  to  him  accordingly. — 

Cornelius  Glen,  Henry  Ten  Eyck,  and  Gysbert  Fonda 
who  were  on  the  3?  Instant  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to 
take  the  above  mentioned  Oath  appearing  resolved  that  the 
said  oath  be  administred  to  them  accordingly. — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      343 


Frederick  Wurmer  appeared  before  the  Board  [47]  accord-  M 
ing  to  order  and  was  examined  with  respect  to  John  Cittimon 
who  is  now  confined  in  Goal  which  Examination  is  as  follows 
(to  wit)  (see  Examination  on  File) 

Thomas  King  appearing  informed  the  Board  that  John 
Owens  is  a  dangerous  and  disaffected  Person  resolved  that 
the  said  Information  be  reduced  to  writing  &  filed  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  i8*h  May  1779 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          r^   T?     j 
r,    .        TT-      i  f        i  Isaac  t/«  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Col!  William  B.  Whiting  of  Kings  District 
dated  12th  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he 
informs  us  that  Major  Zadock  Wright  confined  on  Parole 
to  Kings  District  is  very  desirous  of  going  to  his  Family  in 
Cumberland  County  and  there  to  remain  under  such  Re- 
strictions as  this  Board  shall  think  proper  to  impose  upon 
him  and  he  further  informs  us  that  it  is  his  Opinion  that  the 
said  Zadock  Wright  might  with  safety  be  indulged  in  his 
Request  as  he  has  during  his  Residence  in  Kings  District 
behaved  himself  in  the  most  unexceptionable  Manner  and 
strictly  adhered  to  his  Parole.  — 

Resolved  that  Isaac  D.  Fonda  Esq?  wait  on  Brigadier 
General  Clinton  and  consult  with  him  as  to  the  Propriety 
of  indulging  the  said  Zadock  Wright  in  the  above  request. 

Isaac  D.  Fonda  Esq-  reported  that  he  had  waited  on 
General  Clinton  who  on  Representation  of  the  Case  of  the 
[48]  said  Zadock  Wright  advices  that  he  be  continued  on  his 
Parole  in  King's  District  untill  an  Exchange  for  him  can  be 
effected  .  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  CoU  Whiting  informing 


344  State  of  New  York 

1779      him  that  the  Board  have  determined  to  continue  Major 

May  18.  J 

Wright  on  his  Parole  in  King's  District   until    he    is    Ex- 
changed.— 

Capi  Stephen  Hayt  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  for 
bringing  from  Claverack  to  Albany  Cap*  Smith's  Company 
of  Rangers  with  a  Number  of  Robbers  &  Tories  amounting 
to  £25.  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — * 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  I9t.h  May  1779 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )       j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher        )        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Daniel  Campbell  and  James  Ellice  having  been  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Board  in  Consequence  of  the  Act  of  the 
Legislature  of  this  State  entitled  An  Act  to  amend  an  Act 
more  effectually  to  prevent  the  Mischeifs  arising  from  the 
Influence  &  Example  of  Persons  of  equivocal  &  suspected 
Characters  in  this  State  by  which  the  Commissioners  for 
Conspiracies  are  authorized  to  administer  the  Oath  of 
Allegiance  in  the  said  Act  contained  to  those  Persons  who 
after  refusing  have  offered  to  take  the  same,  and  the  said 
Daniel  Campbell  &  James  Ellice  appearing  this  Day 
according  to  order  and  the  said  Oath  being  tendered 
to  them  they  respectively  took  the  same  resolved  that 
Certificates  be  [49]  given  to  the  said  Daniel  Campbell 
and  James  Ellice  of  their  having  taken  the  above  mentioned 
Oath  — 

Resolved  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  John  5  Lansing2 
,  4  „  o  for  Bread  provided  for  the  State  Prisoners. — 


1  The  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  165,  State  Comp- 
troller's office,  signed  "  Stephen  Haight  ".  The  rangers  were  commanded  by 
Captain  John  Smith. 

*  This  numerical  designation  of  John  Lansing,  innkeeper,  is  not  uncommon 
in  the  records. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies     345 

Nehemiah  Sealy  appeared  before  the  Board  &  accused  M1779 
Duncan  MfConelly  who  is  now  confined  in  Goal  with  having 
spoken  disrespectfully  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States 
of  America  and  making  use  of  other  Expressions  reflecting 
the  greatest  Contempt  on  the  American  Cause  and  the  said 
Information  being  reduced  to  writing  ordered  that  the  same 
be  Filed. — 

Adjourned. — 

Met  Albany  21?*   May  1779 —  May72i. 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          TA   T?     j 
•;  i  lsaac  *•>•  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

Joseph  Concklin  who  was  ordered  to  appear  before  the 
Board  with  his  son  John  Concklin  appeared  this  day  and 
informed  us  that  the  said  John  Concklin  his  son  is  drafted 
in  Col1  Van  Schoonhoven's  Regiment  to  serve  as  a  Soldier 
till  the  first  day  of  January  next  whereupon  resolved  that  the 
said  John  Concklin  be  discharged  and  ordered  to  appear 
again  with  his  son  whenever  he  shall  have  procured  his 
Discharge  from  the  said  Regiment. — 

Cap*  Cumstead  of  Col1  Greatan's  Regiment  appearing 
before  the  Board  informed  us  that  there  is  at  present  in  Con- 
finement a  certain  Anthony  Kersiken  a  Soldier  belonging  to 
CoU  Greatan's  Regiment  and  requesting  us  to  [50]  discharge 
the  said  Anthony  Kersiken  from  Confinement  in  order  that 
he  may  join  his  Regiment. — 

Resolved  that  the  Goaler  be  directed  to  deliver  over  the 
said  Anthony  Kersiken  to  Cap-  Cumstead  whenever  he  shall 
think  Proper  to  apply  to  him  for  that  Purpose  — 

Adjourned 


346  State  of  New  York 


1779  Met  Albany  24-  May  1770 

May  34"  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman 
Mathew  Visscher 

John  Visger  of  Schenectady  having  been  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  in  Consequence  of  an  Act  of  the  Legislature 
of  this  State  entitled  An  Act  to  amend  an  Act  more  effectually 
to  prevent  the  Mischeifs  arising  from  the  Influence  and 
Example  of  Persons  of  equivocal  and  suspected  Characters 
in  this  State  by  which  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 
are  authourized  to  administer  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  in  the 
said  Act  contained  to  those  Persons  who  after  refusing  have 
offered  to  take  the  same  and  the  said  John  Visger  appearing 
this  day  according  to  order  and  the  said  Oath  being  tendered 
to  him  he  took  the  same  whereupon  resolved  that  a  Certifi- 
cate be  given  to  the  said  John  Visger  of  his  having  taken  the 
said  Oath. — 

Application  was  made  to  the  Board  by  Cap-  Cumsted  for 
Permission  to  take  with  him  William  Poor  and  Thomas  Down 
Soldiers  belonging  to  the  Continental  Army  who  were  appre- 
hended on  their  way  to  Canada  &  send  down  to  us  by  the 
Commissioners  of  Charlotte  County  resolved  that  the  Goaler 
be  [51]  directed  to  deliver  over  to  Cap-  Cumstead  the  said 
William  Poor  and  Thomas  Down. — 

Adjourned. — 

1779  Met  Albany  26^  May  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )      ( Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer )      ( Petrus  Wynkoop  JunI 

A  Letter  from  Johannis  Van  Deusen  Esq-  Justice  of  the 
Peace  dated  23f  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  inclosing 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      347 

an  Examination  of  Susannah  Parie  the  Wife  of  Joseph  I779 
Pane  of  Claverack  District  in  which  said  Examination  the 
said  Susannah  Parie  deposes  that  she  has  lived  in  the  House  of 
Teunis  McDonald  in  Livingston's  Manor  that  the  said  Teunis 
McDonald  during  her  Residence  with  him  did  harbour  and 
conceal  such  Persons  who  went  to  and  came  from  the  Enemy 
and  that  she  has  seen  Neal  Taylor  with  a  Captain  belonging 
to  the  British  Service  at  the  said  McDonalds  who  came  from 
Burgoyne's  Camp  and  that  Jacob  Bush  who  came  from  New 
York  with  the  said  Neal  Taylor  was  taken  sick  at  McDonald's 
and  that  Df  Thompson  of  Livingston's  Manor  attended  the 
said  Jacob  Bush  during  his  Illness  — 

Resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Examination  that 
Citations  be  made  out  for  the  said  Teunis  McDonald    & 
Doctor  Thompson  to  appear  before  the  Board  on  Wednesday 
the  Second  day  of  June  next  and  that  Petrus  Wynkoop  Jun- 
Esq-  be  requested  to  have  the  said  Citations  served  on  them — 

A  Letter  from  Mathew  Goes  Jun-  dated  25—  Instant  was 
laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
(to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  —  Resolved  that  the  Subject 
of  the  said  Letter  be  postponed 

Adjourned  — 

[52]  Met  Albany  2;th  May  1779  1779 

May  27. 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck  residing 
on  the  East  side  of  the  River  having  for  their  own  Defence 
raised  a  Company  of  Men  to  be  under  the  Directions  of 
this  Board  and  Cap-  Jacob  DeForest  commanding  the  said 
Company  appearing  requested  from  the  Board  Instructions 


348  State  of  New  York 

1779  for  his  Conduct  as  Cap-  of  the  said  Company  resolved  that 
Instructions  be  made  out  accordingly  which  Instructions  are 
as  follows  (to  wit)  (see  Copy  Instructions  on  File)  — 

Hugh  Denniston  &  Neal  Shaw  were  ordered  to  appear 
before  the  Board  for  making  Use  of  Expressions  Derogatory 
of  the  Authourity  of  this  Board  and  for  traducing  the  Char- 
acters of  the  Members  thereof  as  Publick  Officers  and  the 
said  Hugh  Denniston  &  Neal  Shaw  appearing  and  making 
Satisfactory  Concessions  were  discharged  — 

Resolved  that  Frederick  Warmer  be  liberated  from  Con- 
finement on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good 
Behaviour  and  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies  on  the  first  day  of  every  Month 
untill  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Frederick  Warmer  of  the  Hellebergh  Farmer 

on  Recognizance in. .  £100 

Hendrick  Shaver  his  Bail in. .  £100 

Adjourned  — 

'779          [53]  Met  Albany  28^?  May  1779 

Present 


John  M.  Beeckman 
Mathew  Visscher 


)        ( 
)        ( 


Mathew  Visscher  Esq-  informed  the  Board  that  on  a 
Settlement  with  Bethuel  Washburn  Assistant  Commissary 
of  Issues  he  had  found  due  to  this  Board  a  Ballance  of 
three  hundred  and  eighty  one  Pounds  of  Beef  — 

Lieu-  John  Hoogkerk  having  been  cited  to  appear  before 
this  Board  was  Examined  with  respect  to  Duncan  M^Con- 
nelly  and  the  Examination  of  the  said  John  Hoogkerk 
agreeing  in  every  perticular  with  that  of  Nehemiah  Sealy  — 
Ordered  that  the  same  be  reduced  to  Writing  and  filed  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      349 


John  Cittamon1  who  was  last  year  with   Brant   &  who   ,  J779 
.  .  May  28. 

since  his  return  home  has  been  concerned  in  several  Rob- 
beries having  been  apprehended  and  confined  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  examined  ordered  that  he  be 
recommitted  — 

Col'  Henry  Van  Rensselaer  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  requested  us  to  liberate  from  Confinement  Archibald 
M;Neal  as  the  said  Archibald  M?Neal  is  desirous  of  enlisting 
in  the  Regiment  of  New  Levies  now  raising  in  this  State 
and  we  having  taking  [sic]  the  request  of  the  said  Henry  Van 
Rensselaer  into  our  Consideration  and  no  perticular  crime 
being  alledged  against  the  said  Archibald  M?Neal  There- 
fore resolved  that  he  be  discharged  from  Confinement 
accordingly  on  his  Enlisting  in  the  said  Service  — 

Adjourned  — 

[54]  Met  Albany  29^  May  1779  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        ( 
Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Peter  Silvester  Esq-  dated  28-  Instant  was 
laid  before  the  Board  informing  us  that  he  is  appointed  an 
Executor  to  the  Estate  of  his  Father  in  Law  Cornelius  Van 
Schaack  deceased  that  he  is  unable  without  the  Assistance 
of  Henry  Van  Shaack  and  David  Van  Shaack  who  are  con- 
fined on  Parole  at  Schodack  to  make  any  Division  whatever 
of  the  said  Estate  and  that  as  the  necessary  support  of  a 
Number  of  Orphans  depend  on  a  Settlement  thereof  he 
prays  that  they  may  be  permitted  for  a  few  days  to  come 

1  Lieutenant  William  Colbrath  was  paid  a  reward  of  fifty  dollars  for  appre- 
hending John  Citnam  alias  John  Cittemon,  on  May  8,  1779. —  Revolutionary 
Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  168,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


350  State  of  New  York 


1779      to  Kinderhook  to  complete  that  Business  —  Resolved  that 

May  29.  .  .  r 

the  Consideration  of  the  said  Letter  be  postponed  — 

A  Letter  from  Cornelius  Humphrey  Esq-  dated  27  — 
Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  prays  that 
the  Board  if  they  consistently  can  will  indulge  Mf  Silvester 
in  his  request  —  resolved  that  the  Consideration  of  the  said 
Letter  be  postponed  — 

An  Act1  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State  for  continuing  the 
Powers  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  having 
Authorized  the  said  Commissioners  to  draw  on  the  Treas- 
urer of  the  said  State  for  three  thousand  Pounds  —  resolved 
in  Consequence  of  the  said  Act  that  an  order  be  drawn  on 
Gerard  Bancker  Esqf  for  fifteen  hundred  Pounds  to  defray 
the  necessary  Expenditures  of  this  Board 2 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Dirck  Gardinier  from 
this  Board  who  has  had  Permission  to  go  to  Kinderhook 
on  Account  of  the  difficult  Situation  of  his  Family  to  repair 
forthwith  to  Schodack  the  Place  of  his  Confinement  — 

Adjourned  — 

[55]  Met  Albany  2n-d  June  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Cap-  Nicholas  Staats  appearing  before  the  Board  informed 
us  that  he  has  seen  a  certain  Jurie  Kolenbergh  a  Deserter 
from  Burgoyne's  Army  in  the  Woods  in  Company  with  two 
Persons  who  he  suspected  to  be  Spies  from  the  Enemy 
Resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Information  that  a 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  February  17,  1779. 

*The  original  receipt  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  157,  State 
Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      351 


Warrant  be  made  out  directed  to  the  said  Nicholas  Staats    _X779 

June  2. 
forthwith  to  apprehend  and  bring  before  us  the  said  Jurie 

Kolenbergh  — 

A  Letter  from  Cornelius  Humphrey  Esq-  dated  I?*  Instant 
was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

Resolved  that  an  answer  be  wrote  to  the  above  Letter  of 
Mf  Humphrey  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Copy 
Letter  on  File) 

A  Letter  from  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  of 
Charlotte  County  was  laid  before  the  Board  wherein  they 
inform  us  that  an  Express  from  New  York  is  lately  gone 
to  Canada  and  requesting  our  Advice  in  what  Manner  it 
would  be  best  to  proceed  to  apprehend  the  said  Express  in 
his  Return  to  New  York  — 

Resolved  that  the  said  Commissioners  be  informed  that 
the  Board  will  enter  into  the  Consideration  of  their  Letter 
and  will  endeavour  to  devise  means  to  apprehend  the  above 
mentioned  Express  — 

[56]  In  Consequence  of  the  Information  of  George  White 
Esqf  a  Warrant  having  been  made  out  directed  to  Isaac 
Sheldon  Constable  for  the  Apprehension  of  Robert  Martin 
and  the  said  Isaac  Sheldon  having  agreeable  to  the  said 
warrant  apprehended  and  brought  before  the  Board 
the  said  Robert  Martin  —  Resolved  that  the  said  Robert 
Martin  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for 
him  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  ?d  Tune  1770  i779 

Present  June  * 

John  M.  Beeckman  j        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Jeremaih  Van  Rensselaer  V       -\ 
Mathew  Visscher  ) 


352  State  of  New  York 


1779          Ordered  that  Citations  be  made  out  for  Joshua  Griffith, 
June  3.  .  J 

John  Feries,  Martha  Besset  and  John  French  who  the 
Board  are  informed  are  able  to  prove  the  Charges  alledged 
against  Robert  Martin  commanding  their  appearance  before 
us  on  Saturday  the  5*h  Instant 

June  Kolenbergh  having  been  apprehended  by  Cap- 
Staats  and  brought  before  the  Board  was  Examined  and  it 
appearing  from  his  Examination  that  he  is  innocent  of  the 
Crime  alledged  against  him  therefore  resolved  that  he  be 
discharged  — 

Resolved  in  Consideration  of  the  Letter  of  Peter  Silvester 
Esq-  to  this  Board  for  the  Reasons  therein  assigned  that 
Permission  be  granted  to  Henry  Van  Shaack  and  David 
Van  Schaack  to  go  to  Kinderhook  till  [57]  next  Saturday  at 
the  Expiration  of  which  time  they  are  again  to  return  to 
Schodack  — 

A  Letter  from  John  Tillman  dated  2^  Instant  was  laid 
before  the  Board  wherein  he  recommends  to  us  two  Hessian 
Deserters  from  Burgoyne's  Army  and  they  appearing  before 
the  Board  and  being  desirous  of  remaining  here  resolved 
that  Permission  be  granted  them  to  pass  unmolested  through 
this  County  — 

Dirick  Sluyter  and  Timothy  Boin  appearing  before  the 
Board  exhibited  to  us  a  Complaint  against  John  Dusenbury, 
John  Bocchus,  Ebenezer  Knap,  and  Ezra  Knap  of  their  being 
Persons  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  &  of  harbouring 
and  Concealing  Persons  from  the  Enemy  —  resolved  in  Con- 
sequence of  the  said  Information  that  a  Warrant  be  made 
out  directed  to  the  said  Timothy  Boin  forthwith  to  appre- 
hend and  bring  before  us  the  said  John  Dusenbury,  John 
Bacchos,  Ebenezer  Knap,  &  Ezra  Knap  — 

A  Letter  directed  to  Stephen  Tuttle  who  is  gone  to  the 
Enemy  having  been  intercepted  was  laid  before  the  Board  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      353 


Resolved  that  a  Copy  thereof  be  transmitted  to  the  Honorable      *779 
Major  General  Schuyler  at  Saragtoga  — 

Peter  Seeger  appeared  before  the  Board  in  Order  to  give 
some  material  Information  respecting  the  Robberies  com- 
mitted on  Jacob  Luke  and  others  and  his  Examination 
being  taken  is  as  follows  (to  wit)  (see  Examination  on  File) 

Adjourned  — 

[58]  Met  Albany  5*h  June  1779  *779 

Present  — 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        I  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Able  Mills  appearing  before  the  Board  informs  us  that  he 
has  taken  in  his  Custody  a  certain  Robert  Brisben  who  is 
lately  come  from  Can[a]da  from  whence  he  pretended  to 
have  deserted  and  that  he  has  the  said  Robert  Brisben  ready 
to  produce  to  the  Board  &  the  said  Robert  Brisben  being 
brought  before  us  and  Examined  Resolved  that  be  be  dis- 
charged on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to  continue 
within  the  District  of  Saragtoga  and  not  depart  the  same 
unless  by  Permission  or  order  of  this  Board  or  some  other 
Civil  or  Military  Authority  and  for  his  good  and  peaceable 
Behaviour  and  Monthly  Appearance  before  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  until  discharged  by  this 
Board  — 

Robert  Brisben  of  Saragtoga  Yeoman  in.. . .  £200 
Able   Mills  of  the   same  place   Farmer  his 
Bail  in £200 

Edward  Archer  laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of 
Services  performed  by  him  and  his  two  sons  as  Guides  to 
the  Scouts  that  were  sent  to  the  Hellebergh  in  the  whole 


354  State  of  New  York 


June9s  amounting  to  £22  u  ios  tl  od  ordered  that  the  same  be 
paid1  — 

Joshua  Griffith,  John  Farre,  Martha  Basset  and  John 
French  who  were  on  the  third  Instant  cited  to  appear  before 
the  Board  as  Witnesses  against  Robert  Martin  now  Confined 
in  Goal  appeared  this  day  agreeable  to  our  [59]  order  and 
the  said  Joshua  Griffith,  John  Farries,  Martha  Basset,  and 
John  French  being  Examined  with  respect  to  the  Conduct 
of  the  said  Robert  Martin  they  say  as  follows  (see  their 
Examinations  on  File) 

A  Letter  from  Petrus  Wynkoop  JunS  Esq-  dated  2^ 
Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  informing  us  that  he  has 
been  unable  to  have  the  Citations  on  Df  Thompson  & 
Teunis  McDonald  served  on  Account  of  the  Absence  of  the 
said  Df  Thompson  Ordered  that  the  said  Letter  be  filed  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  7^  June  1779  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T         T^   T?     j 
~r    .        TT.      ,  t       1  Issac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

In  Consequence  of  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  for  enabling 
the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  to  administer  the  Oath 
of  Allegiance  to  those  Persons  who  had  refused  and  after- 
wards offered  to  take  the  same  resolved  that  Volkert  Van 
Veghten  be  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to  take  the  said 
Oath  — 

As  the  Robberies  at  the  Hellebergh  and  the  adjacent 
Places  still  continue  notwithstanding  the  unremitting  En- 
deavours used  by  this  Board  to  put  stop  to  the  same  and  as 
most  of  the  well  affected  subjects  in  that  Quarter  unless 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  169, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      355 


a  speedy  Alteration  takes  place  must  enevitably  be  ruined  and 
forced  to  quit  their  Habitations  therefore  resolved  that 
Mathew  Visscher  Esqf  one  of  the  members  of  this  Board  do 
immediately  wait  on  the  Honorable  Brigadier  General 
Clinton  and  advise  with  him  what  Steps  are  most  proper  to 
be  taken  towards  [60]  apprehending  the  Persons  who  commit 
the  said  Robberies  — 

Abraham  Wendell  of  this  City  having  industriously 
propogated  Intelligence  respecting  the  Enemy  which  tho' 
false  may  nevertheless  tend  to  dishearten  weak  and  ignorant 
Persons  Therefore  resolved  that  Jacob  Kidney  bring  the  said 
Abraham  Wendell  forthwith  before  this  Board  — 

Mf  Visscher  reports  that  he  has  waited  on  General  Clinton 
who  says  he  [is]  unable  at  this  Time  to  afford  us  any  assistance 
towards  apprehending  the  Robbers  at  the  Hellebergh  as  he 
intends  in  a  few  days  to  go  on  Western  expedition  — 

Abraham  Wendell  being  agreeable  to  Order  brought  before 
the  Board  :  was  Examined  with  Respect  to  the  News  by  him 
circulated  Whereupon  resolved  that  he  be  injoined  not  to 
spread  any  such  Reports  in  future  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  8^  June  1779  — 
Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  )        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Samuel  M'rFarlan  being  looked  upon  as  a  Person  of  a 
Suspicious  Character  was  apprehended,  brought  before  the 
Board  and  Examined  and  on  his  Examination  confesses  he 
once  belonged  to  the  Continental  Army  but  says  he  was 
regularly  Discharged  from  the  same,  and  that  Cap-  Parr  now 
at  Schohary  can  Testify  to  the  same  he  also  says  he  lately 


356  State  of  New  York 


1779      made  his  Escape  from  New  York  to  which  place  he  was  taken 

June  8. 

as  a  Prisoner  when  the  Enemy  last  Spring  made  a  descent  on 
Elizabeth  Town  and  that  he  in  his  way  up  to  this  [61]  place 
he  delivered  Letters  from  Governor  Livingston  to  General 
McDugall  resolved  that  the  said  Samuel  Mc.Farlan  be  Con- 
fined till  the  truth  of  the  above  can  be  ascertained  and  that  a 
Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  him  into  his 
Custody 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Cap-  Parr  at  Schohary 
respecting  Samuel  M'Farlan  which  Letter  is  to  be  in  the 
words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Copy  Letter  on  File)  — 

William  Marran  appeared  before  the  Board  and  made 
application  for  a  Pass  to  go  to  Bennington  resolved  that  he 
be  informed  that  no  pass  can  be  granted  him  unless  he  obtain 
a  Recommendation  in  his  Favour  from  some  Person  who  is 
known  to  be  a  Friend  to  the  American  Cause  — 

Timothy  Boin  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed  us 
that  agreeable  to  our  warrant  he  had  apprehended  John 
Dusenbury,  John  Bocchus,  Ebenezer  Knap  and  Ezra  Knap 
and  they  being  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing 
from  the  Examination  of  Elias  Palmer  that  the  said  John 
Dusenbury,  John  Bocchus,  Ebenezer  Knap  and  Ezra 
Knap  are  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  and  the 
Board  being  of  Opinion  that  their  going  at  large  may  prove 
dangerous  to  the  Safety  of  the  State  Therefore  resolved 
that  they  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out 
for  them  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Johannis  Van  Deusen 
Esq-  at  Claverack  inclosing  Citations  for  D[  Thompson  and 
Teunis  McDonald  to  appear  before  the  Board  on  the  20— 
Instant  and  that  the  said  Johannis  Van  Deusen  be 
re[quested]  [62]  to  have  them  served  — 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      357 


Met  Albany  9^?  June  1779  1779 

Present  June 

John  M.  Beeckman  )       (  T          ^    ~      , 
•^ ,    ,         XT.      i  r       1  Isaac  L).  .bonda 

Mathew  Visscher       )        ( 

Cap-  James  Magee  having  been  cited  to  appear  before  the 
Board  appeared  and  was  examined  with  respect  to  Ebenezer 
Knap  and  Ezra  Knap  who  are  now  in  Confinement  — 

Col!  Peter  Yates  and  Major  Groesbeeck  of  Schatikoke 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  i[n]formed  us  that  several 
Persons  are  lately  come  to  reside  in  their  Neighbourhood 
some  of  whom  they  are  utter  Strangers  to  &  others  are  Per- 
sons who  when  Burgoyne  came  down  collected  a  number  of 
Cattle  to  drive  to  his  Army  and  that  those  Persons  daily 
obstruct  the  Execution  of  the  Orders  of  the  Militia  Officers 
and  secrete  the  internal  Enemies  of  the  State  and  as  the  said 
Persons  have  never  yet  been  called  upon  to  answer  for  their 
Conduct;  they  conceive  it  would  be  proper  to  have  them 
brought  before  this  Board  and  laid  under  restrictions  for 
their  good  Behaviour  in  future  the  Names  of  the  Persons 
areas  follows  (to wit)  Alexander  Wright,  [blank]  Caldwell, 
Benjamin  Ward,  [blank]  Bernet,  George  Wetsel,  Hendrick 
Grawberger,  &  Hendrick  Miller 

On  Considering  the  above  Information  of  CoU  Yates  and 
Major  Groesbeeck  resolved  that  a  warrant  be  made  out  and 
directed  to  Col!  Yates  to  apprehend  the  said  [63]  Persons  and 
forthwith  bring  them  before  us  — 

Col!  Yates  also  informed  the  Board  that  a  certain  Jacob 
Halenbeeck  living  at  Schatikoke  has  been  appointed  a 
Lieu-  in  his  Regiment,  of  Militia  and  being  required  to 
Qualify  accordingly  to  the  Directions  of  the  Militia  Act 
he  had  notwithstanding  his  being  duly  notified  never  qualified 
and  that  the[y]  attributed  his  refusal  to  his  being  an  Enemy 


358  State  of  New  York 

J779  to  the  American  Cause  and  as  such  prayed  that  he  might 
be  cited  to  appear  before  this  Board  to  answer  for  his  Conduct 
Resolved  that  a  Citation  be  made  out  for  the  said  Jacob 
Halenbeeck  to  appear  before  us  on  Saturday  next  — 

The  Party  of  Rangers  raised  in  the  East  District  of  the 
Manor  of  Rensselaerwyck  for  the  security  of  the  Inhabitants 
of  the  said  District  being  destitute  of  Ammunition  Resolved 
that  Brigadier  General  Ten  Broeck  be  requested  to  issue  his 
Order  for  such  a  Quantity  of  Ammunition  as  may  be  neces- 
sary of  the  said  Ranger  Company  — 

Resolved  that  the  Secretary  pay  Timothy  Boyn  for 
apprehending  and  bringing  to  Goal  John  Dusenbury  and 
others  the  sum  of  £12  „  o  „  o  — 

William  Morall  having  been  apprehended  by  a  Party  of 
Capi  Jacob  DeForest's  Company  of  Rangers  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  the  said  William  Morall  being  Ex- 
amined confesses  that  he  has  belonged  to  General  Burgoyne's 
Army  Resolved  that  he  be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  him  into  his  Custody  and 
Confine  him  — 

Adjourned  — 


Ju£7?o.       N]  Met  Albany  io^h  June  1779 

Present 

John   M.  Beeckman  )       (  T          r\   •&     i 
~,    .        .,.      .  r      •{  Isaac  D.  >onda 

Matnew  Visscher        )       ( 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  David  Gibson 
for  riding  Express  from  this  place  to  Poughkeepsie  with 
Letters  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor  Resolved  that  the 
secretary  pay  the  same  —  l 

1  The  original  voucher  for  £28  a  143.  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  voL 
40,  p.  168,  State  Comptroller's  office.  It  is  signed  by  Maritie  Gibson,  wife 
of  David  Gibson. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      359 


Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Major  General  M'rDu-   _  J779 

3  June  10. 

gall  respecting  Samuel  M'rFarlan  who  is  now  in  Confinement 
which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Copy 
[of]  Letter  on  File)  — 

Volkert  Van  Veghten  of  Greenbush  having  been  cited  to 
appear  before  the  Board  in  Consequence  of  the  Act  lately 
passed  entitled  an  Act  to  amend  an  Act  more  effectually  to 
prevent  the  Mischief's  arising  from  the  Influence  and  Ex- 
ample of  Persons  of  equivocal  &  suspected  Characters 
in  this  State  by  which  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 
are  authourized  to  administer  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  in  the 
said  Act  contained  to  those  Persons  who  after  refusing  have 
offered  to  take  the  same  appeared  this  day  according  to 
Order  and  the  Oath  being  tendered  to  him  he  tooke  the 
same  — 

Resolved  that  Duncan  M'rConally  be  discharged  from 
Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a 
sufficient  security  for  his  good  Behaviour  and  appearance 
on  the  last  day  of  every  Month  before  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

[65]    Duncan  M'rConelly  on  Recognizance  in.  .  £100 
James    Caldwell    of   the  City  of  Albany 
Merch-  his  Bail  in  .....................  £100 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  nlh  June  1779  - 
Present 

John    M.   Beeckman  )        (  T          T\    v     i 
™    i        TT-  r       1  Isaac  D.  l»onda 

Mathew  Visscher         )        ( 

Cap!  M*:Clure  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
us  that  he  had  taken  from  Samuel  M'rFarlan  who  he  had 
apprehended  and  who  is  now  in  Confinement  as  a  Deserter 


360  State  of  New  York 


1779      from  the  Continental  Army  four  Hundred  and  Fifty  Dollars 

ne  ii.  *  » 

&  a   Silver  Watch  by  way  of  security  for  the  said  Samuel 

M'Farlan's  remaining  in  this  City  till  he  should  produce  a 
regular  discharge  from  the  Continental  Service  and  the  said 
Samuel  M'rFarlan  being  now  a  Prisoner  by  Virtue  of  a 
Mittimus  of  this  Board  and  the  said  Cap-  M^Clure  being 
desirous  of  delivering  up  to  us  the  said  Articles  by  him 
taken  from  the  said  Samuel  M'rFarlan  resolved  that  the 
Secretary  take  Charge  of  the  same  — 

The  Honorable  Brigadier  General  Clinton  having  directed 
the  Officer  of  the  Guard  at  the  Fort  to  deliver  over  to  this 
Board  Alexander  Carson,  Thomas  M'rMichin,  Hugh  Rose, 
Angus  M^Intash,  and  Walter  Trumble  as  being  Offenders 
who  came  properly  under  our  direction  Resolved  in  Conse- 
quence thereof  that  Jacob  Kidney  immediately  go  to  the 
Fort  and  their  receive  from  the  Officer  of  the  Guard  the 
said  Alexander  Carson,  Thomas  M'rMichin,  Hugh  Rose, 
Angus  M'rlntosh,  &  Walter  Trumble  and  bring  them  before 
us  — 

[66]  Alexander  Carson,  Thomas  M?Michin,  Hugh  Rose, 
Angus  M'rlntosh,  and  Walter  Trumble  having  been  brought 
before  this  Board  and  severally  Examined  Resolved  that 
they  be  committed  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the 
Goaler  to  receive  and  take  them  into  his  Custody  — 

A  Letter  from  George  White  Esqf  respecting  Ebenezer 
Knap  &  Ezra  Knap  was  laid  before  the  Board  which  Letter 
is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  I2?h   Tune  I77Q  — 

~  "•  Present 


John  M.  Beeckman  1        ( 
Isaac  D.  Fonda  )        ( 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      361 


George  Wetsel,  Hendrick  Crawberger,  Hendrick  Miller  T 
and  Benjamin  Ward  having  by  Virtue  of  Warrant  directed 
to  Col-  Yates  been  apprehended  and  brought  before  the 
Board  were  Examined  and  the  Charges  alledged  against 
them  not  being  properly  supported  and  they  producing 
Certificates  of  their  having  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance 
to  this  State 

Resolved  that  George  Wetsel,  Hendrick  Crawberger  and 
Hendrick  Miller  be  discharged  and  that  Benjamin  Ward 
enter  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  surety  for  his 
good  Behaviour  and  his  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  until 
discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Benjamin  Ward  on  Recognizance  in  ........   £100 

George  Wetsel  his  Bail  ____  .....  in  ........  £100 

[67]  Jacob  Halenbeeck  who  was  cited  to  appear  before 
the  Board  &  produced  a  Certificate  of  his  having  taken  the 
Oath  of  Allegiance  to  this  State  whereupon  resolved  that  he 
be  discharged 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  14^  June  1779  1779 

Present  J"116  J* 

John   M.  Beeckman  )        (A,    ,        A7.      , 
~          _    _      ,  V        i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  tonda  )        ( 

James  M^Masters  Esq-  informed  the  Board  that  Daniel 
M?Kinney  an  Inhabitant  of  Tryon  County  has  been  taken  a 
Prisoner  by  a  Party  of  Coll  Gansevoort's  Men  —  Resolved 
that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Brigadier  General  Clinton  request- 
ing to  be  informed  what  the  nature  of  the  said  Daniel  M? 
Kinney's  Crime  is  that  we  may  be  able  to  determine  whether 
he  comes  properly  under  the  Civil  or  Military  Authority  — 


362  State  of  New  York 


Time7?  ^"  KiN*an  Van  Rensselaer  appeared  before  the  Board 
and  requested  us  to  liberate  from  Confinement  Robert 
Martin  on  Account  of  the  suffering  Condition  of  his  Wife  and 
Children  and  having  taken  the  said  Request  into  Consider- 
ation resolved  that  the  said  Robert  Martin  be  discharged 
from  his  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with 
the  said  Killian  Van  Rensselaer  as  his  security  and  not 
to  depart  the  Limits  of  his  Farm  (unless  it  be  to  take  care  of 
such  Grain  as  he  may  have  on  the  Land  of  other  Persons) 
and  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  until  discharged  by  this 
Board  — 

Robert    Martin  on   Recognizance  in  ......  £100 

Killian    Van   Rensselaer  his   Bail  in  ......  £100 

A  Letter  from  Major  General  Schuyler  dated  at  [68]  Sarag- 
toga  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (to  wit)  (see 
Letter  on  File)  Resolved  that  the  Consideration  of  the 
said  Letter  be  postponed  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Col!  Hardenbergh  at 
Kingston  in  Ulster  County  requesting  him  in  Case  He  thinks 
the  situation  of  the  Country  in  that  Quarter  will  admit  of 
it  to  permit  John  Harrison  to  go  with  the  first  Scout  that 
may  be  sent  to  the  Westward  to  fetch  his  Family  — 

Resolved  that  Ebenezer  Knap  be  discharged  from  Con- 
finement on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good 
Behaviour  and  appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners for  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  until  discharged 
by  this  Board  — 

Ebenezer    Knap    on    Recognizance    in....  £100 
Reuben    Knap   his    Bail    ..........  in....  £100 

Resolved  that  Ezra  Knap  be  discharged  from  Confine- 
ment on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour 
and  appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  for 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      363 


Conspiracies  when   called   upon   until   discharged   by  this      *779 
Board-  JUMI- 

Ezra  Knap  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Reuben  Knap  his  Bail in £100 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  itfh  Tune  1770 —  1779 

Present  *«"  's' 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (TV/TI        TT-      i 
:?         TN   T.  r       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D.  ronda       )        ( 

A  Letter  from  Richard  Esselstyne  Esq-  was  [69]  laid 
before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  that  he  sends  to  us 
under  Care  of  Cloude  Van  Deusen  and  Peter  Bunt  a  cer- 
tain Thomas  Murphy  who  he  has  caused  to  be  apprehended 
as  a  dangerous  Person  and  the  said  Thomas  Murphy  being 
examined  resolved  that  he  be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus 
be  made  out  for  him  — 

Resolved  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Cloude  Van  Deusen 
and  Peter  Bont  the  sum  of  £j  „  8  H  o  for  bringing  from 
Claverack  the  above  mentioned  Thomas  Murphy — l 

Cap*  Demoray  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed 
us  that  he  had  brought  with  him  the  above  mentioned 
Thomas  Murphy  from  Poughkeepsie  and  that  he  had 
promised  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  at  that  Place 
to  return  to  them  the  said  Thomas  Murphy  and  that  he 
has  entered  into  a  Recognizance  before  the  said  Commis- 
sioners for  the  good  Behaviour  of  the  said  Thomas  Murphy 
and  requesting  for  those  Reasons  to  discharge  him  from 
Confinement  Resolved  on  considering  the  above  Request 
that  the  said  Thomas  Murphy  be  discharged  accordingly  — 

'The  original  voucher  is  signed  "  Gloudey  Van  Deusen  "  and  is  in  Revolu- 
tionary Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  168,  State  Comptroller's  office. 


364  State  of  New  York 

1779  A  Letter  from  CoU  Lewis  DeBois  dated  at  John^sTown 
in  Tryon  County  was  laid  before  the  Board  informing  us 
that  he  sends  to  us  under  Guard  by  order  of  Brigadier 
General  Clinton  the  following  Persons  (who  were  confined 
in  Tryon  County  Goal  and  for  want  of  a  sufficient  Guard  to 
take  Care  of  them  at  that  Place  he  now  sends  to  us  to  have 
confined  here  (to  wit)  Henry  Merkle,  Jacob  Merkle,  Derick 
Merkle,  Godfrey  Supher,  Peter  Schuyler,  David  Barber, 
John  Staring,  George  Fikes,  John  Kitman,  Julius  Bush, 
Dedirick  Louks,  William  Empey  [70]  Nicholas  Shafer, 
Adam  Shafer,  John  Shafer,  John  Alt,  Nicholas  Alt,  Jacob 
Broadhower,  Michael  Cochnought,  John  Van  Sela,  John 
Devoe,  Job  Bullingham  and  John  Waters  Resolved  that  they 
be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  them — 

Resolved  that  Letters  be  wrote  to  Col-  Klock,  CoU  Vis- 
scher  and  William  Harper  Esq-  requesting  them  to  trans- 
mit to  this  Board  the  Crimes  with  which  the  above  Persons 
severally  stand  charged  — 

Adjourned  — 

_  1779  Met  Albany  i8*h  Tune  1770 

June  l8'  Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        j  Isaac  D.  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher        )        ]  John  M'rClung1 

Ensign  Tucker  of  CoU  Alden's  Regiment  appeared  before 
the  Board  with  two  Men  belonging  to  the  said  Regiment 
who  he  informed  us  he  had  about  a  Fortnight  since  been 
sent  to  the  Hellebergh  in  search  of  a  Deserter,  that  they 
had  returned  this  day  and  informed  him  that  they  have 
been  taken  Prisoners  by  a  Party  of  Robbers  who  before 
they  discharged  them  made  them  take  an  Oath  not  to  take 

1  McClung  was  a  commissioner  of  the  Charlotte  County  board. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      365 


up  Arms  during  the  present  War  and  it  being  probable  that   -.  J779 
some  very  material  Information  may  be  collected  from  their 
Examinations    therefore    resolved    that   they    be    severally 
examined  — 

Jeremiah  Johnson  appeared  before  the  Board  &  made 
Application  for  a  Pass  to  go  to  New  Jersey  resolved  that 
he  be  informed  that  no  pass  can  be  granted  him  unless  he 
brings  [71]  a  Certificate  of  the  officer  under  whom  he  does 
Militia  duty  that  he  is  a  Friend  to  the  American  Cause  and 
has  contributed  his  Proportion  towards  raising  Men  for  the 
nine  Months  Service  — 

Upon  the  Representation  of  Major  Schermerhorn  that 
Lambert  Burghart  lies  dangerously  ill  of  the  Yaws,  and 
that  unless  he  be  permitted  to  receive  the  benefit  of  the 
Assistance  of  his  Family,  his  Life  will  be  endangered  re- 
solved that  the  said  Lambert  Burghart  have  Permission  to 
go  and  reside  with  his  Family  at  Kinderhook  during  his 
present  Ailment  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  19th  June  1779  I779 

Present  J11116  *9- 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r\   -r?     j 
r'.  c       i  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscner      )        ( 

John  M'rClung  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 
for  the  County  of  Charlotte  made  application  to  the  Board 
for  the  sum  of  one  hundred  Pounds  to  defray  the  necessary 
Expences  of  the  Board  held  in  the  said  County  of  Char- 
lotte —  Resolved  that  the  Secretary  pay  him  the  same  — 

Benjamin  Glazier  who  was  Yesterday  examined  was  again 
brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  his  Examination 
is  as  follows,  (to  wit)  (see  Examination  on  File)  — 


366  State  of  New  York 


1779  Jeremiah  Johnson  appeared  before  the  Board  and  pro- 
duced to  us  a  Certificate  signed  by  Lieu*  Isaac  Lansing  [72] 
certifying  that  he  has  always  behaved  himself  as  a  good  and 
faithful  subject  of  the  State  Resolved  in  Consequence  of 
the  said  Certificate  that  a  Pass  be  granted  to  the  said  Jere- 
miah Johnson  to  go  to  New  Jersey  and  to  return  again  to 
this  place  by  the  I2*h  day  of  next  Month  — 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  2O*h  June   1779 

June  20.  present 

John  M.  Beeckman    }        (  T          T^ 

i/r    L        w  f       1  Isaac  D- 

Mathew  Visscner       j        ( 

John  Wheeler  appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed  us 
that  a  Party  of  Robbers  had  last  Night  been  at  the  House 
of  his  Father  in  Law  Jacob  Cooper  at  the  Hellebergh  and 
that  in  their  attempting  to  break  into  the  House  the  said 
Jacob  Cooper  had  shot  and  killed  one  of  them  and  requesting 
us  to  send  a  Scout  to  that  Quarter  to  go  in  Search  of  the  said 
Robbers. 

The  Board  on  taking  the  above  Information  and  Request 
into  Consideration  resolved  that  Application  be  made  to  Col? 
Henry  K.  Van  Rensselaer  the  commanding  Officer  for  a 
Party  of  Men  to  go  to  the  Hellebergh  for  the  above  purpose : 
and  also  resolved  that  Instructions  be  made  out  for  the 
Officer  who  is  to  command  the  said  Scout  in  the  following 
Words  (to  wit)  (see  Copy  of  Instructions  on  File)  — 

Resolved  that  Application  be  made  also  to  Colj  Jacob 
Lansing  to  detach  a  Party  of  Men  of  his  Regiment  to  the 
Helleberg  in  search  of  the  Robbers  above  mentioned  and  that 
Instructions  be  made  out  to  the  Officer  who  is  to  command 
the  said  Detachment  [73]  in  the  Words  following,  (to  wit) 
(see  Copy  of  Instructions  on  File) 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      367 


Resolved  that  this  Board  do  immediately  proceed  to  the      J779 

.  June  20. 

Hellebergh  in  Order  that  the  above  Business  may  be  the 
more  expeditiously  carried  into  Execution 

Adjourned  — 

Met  at  the  House  of  Jacob  Cooper  at  the  Hellebergh        j^e^i 

the  2if  June   1779 
Present 

John    M.  Beeckman  )        f  T          r»    T?     j 
r .    .        TT.  r       i  Isaac  D.  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher        j        ( 

Charles  Rosseter  a  Deserter  from  Burgoynes  Army  having 
been  apprehended  and  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  ap- 
pearing from  the  Information  of  sundry  well  affected  In- 
habitants that  since  the  Time  of  his  Desertion  he  has  be- 
haved himself  in  a  becoming  manner  — 

Whereupon  resolved  that  it  be  recommended  to  him  to 
remove  from  this  Part  of  the  Country  on  account  of  it's  dis- 
affection. 

Adjourned  — 

Met  at  the  Hellebergh  22?d  June  1779  June7  22 

Present 

John   M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          r\   T?     j 
~  r       1  Isaac  L).  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher         ;        (. 

Derick  Van  Der  Wilger  being  brought  before  the  Board 
and  it  appearing  from  his  examination  and  the  Informa- 
tion of  his  Neighbours  that  by  Reason  of  his  Illness  and 
the  distresses  of  his  Family  he  has  not  been  able  to  render 
his  Country  the  services  he  otherwise  might  have  done  and 
that  he  had  taken  the  Oath  of  Allegiance  resolved  that  he 
be  discharged  — 

[74]     Jan  Bradt  being  brought  before  the  Board  on  being 


368  State  of  New  York 


'779  Examined  says  that  he  was  informed  by  Jacob  Halenbeeck  & 
Mathew  Halenbeeck  that  a  Party  of  Robbers  intended  to 
Robb  him  the  said  Bradt  and  Isaa[c]  Price  That  the  said 
Halenbeeck' s  are  disaffected  Persons  that  they  have  a 
Brother  whose  Name  is  Arie  Halenbeeck  and  who  is  married 
to  Wormer's  Daughter  who  keeps  in  the  Woods  and  has 
understood  that  the  said  Arie  Halenbeeck  has  been  on  his  way 
to  the  Savages  as  far  as  Schohary  Kill  that  he  has  also  been 
informed  that  Anthony  Lane  and  Bob  Ruff  are  among  the 
Robbers. 

Gerrit  Seeger  being  brought  before  the  Board  was  examined 
upon  his  Examination  says  That  last  Sunday  forthnight  he 
was  at  Harmanus  Van  Alstyne's  where  he  found  a  Serjeant 
and  Corporal  of  Colj  Alden's  Regiment  who  said  the[y] 
came  in  search  of  Van  Alstyne's  Son  who  had  deserted  their 
Regiment  that  after  a  little  while  the  said  Van  Alstyne  who 
they  came  in  search  of  Frederick  Oliver  and  two  others  came 
up  to  the  House  armed  and  took  the  said  Serjeant  and  Cor- 
poral Prisoners  &  carried  them  off  and  that  he  has  not 
heard  of  them  since  that  Time. 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  23?   Tune  1770 

June  "•  Present 

John   M.    Beeckman  )        f  T          T^    ^      * 
-*  }•       «  Isaac  L).  fonda 

Mathew  Visscher  ( 

Samuel  Stringer  Esqf  one  of  the  Aldermen  for  this  City 
appearing  before  the  Board  informed  us  that  he  has  [75] 
by  Virtue  of  a  Law  of  this  State  confined  Barent  Whitacre  for 
the  space  of  twenty  Days  for  refusing  to  furnish  his  Waggon 
and  Horses  for  transporting  Stores  &?  to  the  Westward  for 
the  purpose  of  the  Western  Expedition  and  also  for  not  paying 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      369 


the  sum  of  ten  Pounds  as  a  Fine  imposed  on  him  for  such    _  J779 

June  23, 

his  Refusal  and  that  the  said  Barent  Whitacre  now  consents 
to  pay  the  said  fine  whereby  he  will  obtain  his  Release  from 
Confinement  and  as  the  said  Barent  Whitacre  is  a  dis- 
affected Person  whose  going  at  large  may  be  dangerous  to 
the  State  he  therefore  recommends  it  to  us  to  detain  the 
said  Barent  Whitacre  in  Confinement  resolved  in  Conse- 
quence of  the  said  Information  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out 
to  the  Goaler  to  detain  the  said  Barent  Whitacre  in  his 
Custody. 

A  Letter  from  William  Harper  Esqf  one  of  the  Justices 
of  the  Peace  for  the  County  of  Tryon  was  laid  before  the 
Board  containing  the  Crime  of  John  Waters  now  in  Con- 
finement &  as  the  said  Crime  is  not  of  such  a  Nature  as  to 
come  under  the  Cognizance  of  this  Board  therefore  resolved 
that  the  Mittimus  of  this  Board  against  the  said  John 
Waters  be  withdrawn 

George  Grant  being  looked  upon  as  a  Person  of  a  sus- 
picious Character  and  having  been  ordered  to  appear  be- 
fore this  Board  appeared  resolved  that  he  be  discharged  on 
his  enrolling  himself  in  some  Militia  Company  in  Col?  Lan- 
sing's Regiment  and  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to  do 
his  Duty  as  good  &  faithful  subject  of  the  State  and  to 
keep  the  peace  towards  all  and  every  the  good  subjects 
of  the  State  and  to  appear  before  this  Board  when  called 
upon  — 

George  Grant  on  Recognizance  in ...  £50  u  o  u  o 

[76]  Resolved  that  Permission  be  granted  to  John  D. 
Goes  confined  in  Parole  at  Schodack  on  account  of  the 
Illness  of  his  Child  to  go  to  Klyne  Kill  in  Kinderhook  Dis- 
trict until  the  28?h  Instant  — 

Adjourned  — 


37°  State  of  New  York 


_  J779  Met  Albany  24*h  Tune  1770 

June  24-  Present 

John   M.   Beeckman  )        (  T17M1.       Tiri, 
;:         _    „      .  >•       •<  William  Wills 

Isaac  D.  ronda  )        (. 

Hugh  Rose,  Thomas  Mf  Michin  and  Alexander  Coarson  who 
were  lately  brought  from  Schohary  and  confined  were  brought 
before  the  Board  and  exam[in]ed  and  it  appearing  that  notwith- 
standing their  being  disaffected  they  have  always  demeaned 
themselves  in  a  peaceable  Manner  therefore  resolved  that  they 
be  severally  discharged  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a 
Recognizance  to  appear  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners 
for  Conspiracies  or  any  judicial  Authority  when  called  upon  and 
for  their  good  Behaviour  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Hugh  Rose  on  Recognizance in. . .  £100 

Thomas  M'rMichin  on  Recognizance  ..in...  £100 
Alexander  Coarson  on  Recognizance  .  .in. . .  £100 

James  Boyd  his  Bail in. . .  £100 

Alexander  M^Key  also  his  Bail in. . .  £100 

The  Board  having  received  Information  that  James  Flah- 
arty  a  Prisoner  of  War  living  at  Hutchinsons  at  the  Nor- 
man's Kill  has  of  late  associated  with  disaffected  persons 
who  s[e]creat  themselves  in  the  Woods  and  the  said  Flaharty 
being  apprehended  [77]  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
Examined  resolved  that  he  be  committed  and  that  a  Mit- 
timus be  made  out  for  him. 

Adjourned. 

Jxi7e7?8.  Met  Albany  a8fh  June  1779' 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman  )        (  T          T\   v     i 
r,    .        TT-      i  r       1  Asaac  t>.  J^onda 

Mathew  Visscher        )        ( 

'This  year  had  been  written  1782  in  the  manuscript  and  was  altered  to 
1779,  which  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  clean  copy  of  the  minutes  was 
made  in  1782, 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      371 


A  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq  dated  24*h  -Instant  was      1779 
laid  before  the  Board  wherein  he  informs  us  that  agreeable 
to  the  Resolution  of  this  Board  he  has  ordered  the  Reverend 
Mf  Stuart  to  repair  forthwith  to  Schenectady  there  to  remain 
till  the  further  Order  of  this  Board  — 

A  Letter  from  Coll  Jacob  Klock  of  Tryon  County  dated 
the  23f  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  respecting  the 
Prisoners  lately  sent  from  that  County  by  order  of  Brigadier 
General  Clinton  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following 
(to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

A  Letter  from  Colj  Frederick  Visscher  dated  the  2O?h  In- 
stant was  laid  before  the  Board  containing  the  Charges  ex- 
hibited before  him  against  John  Van  Sela  which  Letter  is 
in  the  Words  following  (to  wit)  (see  Letter  on  File)  — 

A  Letter  from  Col|  Frederick  Fisher,  Zepheniah  Batchelor, 
Andrew  Wemple  and  John  Fanda  Esq-  dated  Tryon  County 
I2*h  Instant  was  laid  before  the  Board  containing  the 
Charges  against  Philip  Helmer  of  Tryon  County  now  in 
Confinement  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit) 
(see  Letter  on  File)  — 

Whereas  Information  has  been  given  to  this  [78]  Board 
that  a  Quantity  of  Flour  is  secreted  in  the  woods  on  the 
West  side  of  the  River  near  the  mouth  of  Niefies  Kill  by  a 
certain  William  Harrison  with  an  Intention  to  transport  the 
same  to  the  Eastern  States  contrary  to  a  Law  of  this  State 
and  whereas  this  Board  are  in  great  want  of  Bread  to  sup- 
ply the  prisoners  confined  in  Goal. 

Therefore  resolved  that  M-  Cornelius  Swits  of  this  City 
be  requested  to  proceed  to  Schodack  there  to  apprehend  the 
said  William  Harrison  and  convey  him  to  the  Prison  in  this 
place  provided  he  will  not  discover  the  flour  concealed  by 
him  on  the  West  side  of  the  River  and  in  Case  of  its  being 
removed  to  give  Information  where  it  is  to  be  found.  And 


372  State  of  New  York 


1779      the  said  Cornelius  Swits  is  hereby  empowered  to  seize  the 
said  Flour  and  forthwith  remove  the  same  to  this  Place. 

Whereas  Information  has  been  exhibited  to  this  Board  that 
James  Bruce,  Zachariah  Butler,  Zopher  Brotherton,  John 
Brotherton,  Michajah  Brotherton,  and  Jesse  Casey  did 
lately  rescue  Elisha  Rodgers  belonging  to  the  nine  Months 
service  from  an  Officer  who  had  him  in  Charge  and  that  they 
are  Persons  whose  going  at  large  unless  under  proper  Re- 
strictions from  their  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause 
may  prove  dangerous  to  the  State. 

Resolved  therefore  that  Timothy  Bowen  and  Silas  Morey 
be  authorized  and  commanded  to  apprehend  the  said  above 
mentioned  Persons  and  them  to  bring  forthwith  before  this 
Board  — 

Adjourned  — 

1779         [79] »  Met  Albany  29*h  June  1779  — 

Present 

John  M.  Beeckman          )        f  T         r\  T?     j 
J  r       1  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer  j        ( 

Joseph  Concklin  of  New  Town  having  been  apprehended 
for  declaring  that  he  was  a  friend  to  the  King  of  Great 
Britain  and  making  use  of  other  Expressions  which  plainly 
evinced  his  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  and  being 
brought  before  the  Board  resolved  that  he  be  committed  and 
that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  him  — 

Angus  M'rlntosh  having  some  Time  since  been  taken  a 
Prisoner  some  where  near  the  Head  of  Delaware  River  and 
confined  in  Goal  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  we  being 
of  opinion  that  his  going  at  large  will  not  endanger  the  safety 

1  The  clean  copy  of  the  minutes  for  June  29  and  30  begins  at  this  point, 
and  the  rough  draft  begins  on  p.  [80]  of  the  composite  manuscript. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      3  73 


of  the  State  therefore  resolved  that  he  be  liberated  from  Con-   _  J779 

•          •  r>  •  rr    -  June   29. 

finement  on  hts  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient 
security  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  &  appearing  before 
any  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called 
upon  until  discharged  by  this  Board  — 

Angus  M^Intosh  on  Recognizance  in £200 

James  Bell  his  Bail in £200 

Adjourned. 

Met  Albany  ?o*h  Tune  1770.  „  *779 

Present  Jlme  3°' 

John  M.  Beeckman 
Jeremiah  Van  Rensselaer 

[80]'  Met  Albany  29th  June  1779. 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  | 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j 

Joseph  Concklin  of  New  Town  having  [several  Times 
heretofore  been  ordered  to  appear  before  the  Board\  been 
apprehended  for  declaring  that  he  was  a  friend  to  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  and  making  use  of  other  Expressions  which 
plainly  [denoted  the  strongest  Attachment  to  his  Cause  & 
the  said  Joseph  Concklin  having  at  the  Time  he  was  liberated 
from  Confinement  entered  into  a  Recognizance  whereby  he 
engaged  to  appear  before  any  one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board 
when  called  upon  and  the  said  Joseph  Concklin  not  having 
complied  with  the  Terms  of  the  said  Recognizance  therefore 
Ordered  that  the  said  Joseph  Concklin  pay  the  Sum  of  ioo£ 
specified  in  his  Recognizance  and  that  he  be  committed  for  the 

1  The  rough  draft  begins  at  this  point.  Italicized  words  within  brackets 
represent  portions  scored  out  in  the  manuscript  during  revision  by  Leonard 
Gansevoort,  Jr.,  the  secretary. 


374  State  of  New  York 

1779  above  mentioned  Declarations  and  ordered]  evinced  his  Dis- 
affection to  the  American  Cause  &  being  brought  before  the 
Board  resolved  that  he  be  committed  &  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  [out  to  the  Cooler  to  take  him  into  his  Custody]  out  for 
him. 

Angus  M'rlntosh  having  some  Time  since  been  taken  a 
Prisoner  somewhere  near  the  Head  of  Deleware  River  and 
confined  in  Goal  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  [it 
appearing  to  us  from  the  candid  Confession  of  the  said  Angus 
Mc.Intosh  that  no  danger  is  to  be  apprehended  from  his  being 
released  from  his  Confinement]  being  of  Opinion  that  his  going 
at  large  will  not  endanger  the  Safety  of  the  State  therefore 
[ordered]  resolved  that  he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on 
his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Security 
for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  appearance  before  any  one 
of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon 
until  discharged  by  this  B1 

Angus  M'ilntosh  on  Recognizance  in . .  £200  :  o  :  o 
James  Bell  his  Bail in . .  £200  :  o  :  o 

[The  Board  then]  adjourned 

X*        X<? 

JuL7e7  30.  Met  Alban7  30th  June  1 779. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  |       f 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  J        ( 

James  Flaharty  [a  Deserter  from  Burgoyne's  Army  residing 
with  James  Hutchinson  at  the  Normans  Kill  having  been] 
apprehended  on  Suspicion  of  being  privy  to  the  Robberies 
lately  committed  at  the  Helleberg  &c  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  it  [having  appeared  to  us]  appearing  that  the  Sus- 
picion [is  rather]  concerning  him  is  Ill-founded  therefore 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      375 

[Ordered]  resolved  that  he  be  liberated  on  his  entering  into  a      J779 
Recognizance  for  his  good   Behaviour  in  future  [81]  and 
appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Con- 
spiracies when  called  upon  until  disch'?  by  this  B1 

James  Flaharty  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  :  o  :  o 
Moses  Hutchinson  his  Bail in. .  £100  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Allow- 
ance made  to  Jacob  Kidney,  [Door  Keeper]  the  Door 
Keeper  to  this  B1  and  judging  the  sum  of  six  shillings  in 
the  present  depreciated  State  of  the  paper  Currency  not  an 
adequate  Compensation  for  his  Services  do  therefore  [order] 
resolve  that  he  be  allowed  from  and  after  the  19th  Day  of 
February  now  last  past  the  Sum  of  I2/  per  Day  [whenever 
this  Board  shall  meet  to  transact  Business]  for  his  Services 
in  that  Station. 

[Ordered]  resolved  that  the  Secretary  for  the  future  fur- 
nish Stephen  Bell  with  written  Orders  for  provisions  not 
exceeding  i  tt  Bread  &  ^  H  Beef  ^  Day  for  each  person 
such  order  to  be  made  out  by  him  only  on  returns  made 
to  him  by  Goaler. 

Peter  Finehout  of  Niscuthaw  having  been  apprehended 
on  Suspicion  of  his  having  been  with  Brant,  and  confined 
was  this  Day  brought  before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  to 
us  that  the  Suspicion  against  him  is  not  so  well  founded  as 
to  warrant  a  farther  Imprisonment  therefore  Ordered  that 
that  said  Peter  Finehout  be  liberated  from  his  Confinement 
on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Be- 
haviour and  appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon. 

Peter  Finehout  on  Recognizance  in. .  £100  :  o  :o 
Albert  Van  Der  Zee  his  Bail  ...  .in. .   £100  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned 


376  State  of  New  York 


TJ779  Met  Albany  2?d  July  I77Q 

July 2'  Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T          r\   T-     j 

•J         .  J-       •<  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  J        ( 

Major  Jacob  Schermerhorn  appeared  before  the  Board 
with  a  certain  Sealy  Munro  who  informed  us  he  had  appre- 
hended at  Schodack  in  Company  with  another  Person  who 
had  made  his  Escape  &  that  he  looks  upon  the  said  Sealy 
Munro  as  a  Spy  from  the  Enemy  ordered  that  the  said 
Sealy  Munro  be  examined  The  said  Sealy  Munro  having 
been  examined  and  not  giving  a  satisfactory  Account  of 
himself  ordered  that  he  be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  receive  him  into  his  Custody  & 
closely  confine  him. 

Information  having  been  exhibited  to  this  Board  that  a 
Number  of  Deserters  [82]  from  Burgoyne's  Army  who  are 
residing  at  Schodack  lately  made  an  Attempt  to  go  off  & 
join  the  Enemy  ordered  in  Consequence  of  the  said  In- 
formation that  Coll  John  H.  Beekman  be  requested  to  send 
to  us  without  Delay  the  said  Persons. 

Silas  Morey  who  by  a  Warrant  directed  to  him  was 
ordered  to  apprehend  &  bring  before  us  James  Bruce, 
Zachariah  Butler,  Zopher  Brotherton,  John  Brotherton  and 
Micajah  Brotherton  appeared  before  the  Board  with  the 
said  Persons  ordered  that  they  be  severally  examined. 

The  said  James  Bruce,  Zopher  Brotherton,  John  Brother- 
ton  &  Micajah  Brotherton  having  been  examined  ordered 
that  Zopher  Brotherton  one  of  the  said  Persons  have  Per- 
mission to  go  to  Stephen  Town  the  Place  of  his  Abode  to 
endeavour  to  procure  Bail  for  himself  and  the  other  Persons 
that  were  taken  with  him. 

Barent  Whitaker  having  the  other  Day  been  confined  by 
order  of  this  Board  for  disaffection  to  the  American  Cause 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      377 


was  brought  before  us  ordered  that  he  be  liberated  from  J779 
Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  &  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  Conspiracies  &  also  for  his  Personal  Appear- 
ance on  the  Last  Day  of  every  Month  before  the  Captain 
of  the  Company  in  which  he  is  involved  &  under  whom  he 
performs  Militia  Duty. 

Barent  Whitaker  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  :  o  :  o 
Jasuias  Minklaer  his  Bail in.  £100  :  o  :  o 

From  the  frequent  Robberies  committed  at  the  Helle- 
bergh  Paesenk  &  Places  adjoining  and  the  Cruelties  excer- 
sised  on  the  Peaceable  and  defenceless  Inhabitants  residing 
in  those  parts  by  a  Number  of  Robbers  and  Tories  it  ap- 
pears to  this  Board  highly  necessary  that  a  Company  of 
Rangers  should  be  raised  as  soon  as  possible  to  protect  the 
Inhabitants  and  secure  the  sakl  Robbers  and  as  Lieu* 
Thomas  Ismay  has  declared  his  Readiness  to  take  the 
Charge  of  such  a  Company  therefore  ordered  that  a  Let- 
ter be  wrote  to  the  Honourable  Brigadier  General  Ten 
Broeck  suggesting  to  him  the  Necessity  of  raising  such  a 
Company  and  recommending  to  him  as  a  proper  Officer  to 
command  it  Lieu*  Thomas  Ismay 

John  Bacchus  who  was  some  Time  heretofore  confined 
was  brought  before  the  Board  and  as  the  Imprisonment  of 
the  said  John  Bacchus  has  in  our  Opinion  been  of  sufficient 
Duration  therefore  Ordered  that  the  said  John  Bacchus  be 
liberated  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
for  his  future  good  Behaviour  &  Appearance  before  any  one 
of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon. 

John  Bacchus  on  Recognizance £100:0:0 

Abraham  Filken  his  Bail  in £100  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 


378  State  of  New  York 


P3]  Met  Albany  3*  July  1779 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  T 

T         •  i    TT       r>        i        f       i  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Jeremiah   Van   Renselaer  ;        ( 

James  Bruce  who  was  apprehended  by  Silas  Morey  ap- 
peared before  the  Board  &  requested  to  be  admitted  to  Bail  and 
offered  as  such  William  Baker  and  the  Board  having  taken  the 
said  Request  into  Consideration  Ordered  that  the  said  James 
Bruce  be  discharged  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to  deliver 
up  to  Col?  Henry  K  Van  Renselaer  on  or  before  the  third  Tues- 
day in  this  Month  Samuel  Turner  a  Draught  belonging  to 
the  nine  Months  Service  whom  the  said  James  Bruce  has 
induced  to  desert  from  the  said  Service  and  secreted  in  his 
House  &  for  his  Appearance  at  the  next  Supreme  Court  of  Judi- 
cature to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall  in  this  City  on  the  Last 
Tuesday  in  this  Month  in  the  mean  Time  to  keep  the  Peace 
James  Bruce  on  Recognizance.  .  .in.  .  .  £200  :  o  :  o 
William  Baker  his  Bail  .........  in  ...  £200  :  o  :  o 

Micajah  Brotherton  who  was  apprehended  by  Silas  Morey 
appeared  before  the  Board   &  requested  to  be  admitted  to 
Bail  and  offered  as  such  Samuel  Ingols  &  the  Board  having 
taken  the  said  request  into  Consideration,  Ordered  that  the 
said  Micajah  Brotherton  be  discharged  on  entering  into  a 
Recognizance  to  deliver  up  to  Coll  Henry  K  Van  Renselaer 
on  or  before  the  third  Tuesday  in  this  Month  Elisha  Rodgers 
a  Draught  belonging  to  the  nine  Months  Service,  whom  the 
said  Micajah  Brotherton  rescued  from  the  Officer  who  had 
him  in  Charge  and  in  the  mean  Time  to  keep  the  Peace. 
Micajah  Brotherton  on  Recognizance 

in  ............................  £200  —  o  —  o 

Samuel  Ingols  his  Bail  ............  £200  —  o  —  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies       379 


Met  Albany  5*  July   1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        1  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Zachariah  Butler  who  was  apprehended  by  Silas  Morey 
appeared  before  the  Board  &  requested  to  be  admitted  to 
Bail  &  produced  John  Sacket  &  Joel  Curtis  who  engaged  to 
become  Sureties  for  him  and  we  having  been  certified  of  their 
sufficiency  do  thereupon  order  that  the  said  Zachariah  Butler 
be  discharged  on  entering  into  [84]  a  Recognizance  to  deliver 
up  to  Col*  Henry  K  Van  Renselaer  on  or  before  the  third 
Tuesday  in  this  Month  Elisha  Rodgers  a  Draught  belonging 
to  the  nine  Months  Service  whom  the  said  Zachariah  Butler 
rescued  from  an  Officer  who  had  him  in  Charge  &  to  appear 
at  the  next  Court  of  Oyer  &  Terminer  to  be  held  at  the 
City  Hall  in  this  City  on  the  last  Tuesday  in  this  Month  & 
in  the  mean  Time  to  keep  the  Peace. 

Zachariah  Butler  on  Recognizance  in  £200   :    o  —  o 

John   Sacket  his   Bail    in  £200  —  o  —  o 

Joel  Curds  his  Bail   in  £200  —  o  —  o 

John  Brotherton  &  Zopher  Brotherton  were  each  of  them 
permitted  to  return  to  their  Places  of  Abode  at  Stephen  Town 
on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  their  Appearance  before 
any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon 
&  to  keep  the  Peace  towards  all  &  every  the  Good  Subjects  of 
this  State  and  to  do  their  Duty  when  called  on  for  that  Purpose 
John  Brotherton  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  —  o  —  o 
Zopher  Brotherton  on  Recognizance 

in £100  —  o  —  o 

John  Sacket  Bail  in £100  —  o  —  o 

Joel  Curtis  Bail  in £100  —  o  —  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 


380  State  of  New  York 

1779  Met  Albany  6^h  July  1770 

Present 

John  M.  Beekman  }       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Isaac  D.  Fonda 

Received  a  Letter  of  Col?  Klock  of  Tryon  Dated  3rd 
Instant  inclosing  a  Number  of  Examinations  and  Charges 
against  the  prisoners  sent  down  by  order  of  General  Clinton 
&  who  are  now  here  confined  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit  (prout) 

It  appearing  in  Consequence  of  one  of  the  Examinations 
in  the  above  Letter  alluded  to  that  John  Van  Seyla' s  Crime 
is  of  such  a  Nature  as  to  admit  of  his  being  bailed  therefore 
ordered  that  the  said  John  Van  Seyla  be  brought  before  the 
Board  &  that  he  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on  entering 
into  a  Recognizance  with  a  sufficient  Security  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called  upon. 

John  Van  Seyla  on  Recognizance  in.  £100  —  o  —  o 
Jacob  Gardineerhis  Bail in.  £100  :  o  —  o 

[85]  Frequent  Complaints  having  been  of  late  exhibited 
against  William  Sanders  who  was  some  Time  since  liberated 
from  Confinement  the  Board  do  therefore  order  that  John 
Devoe  who  became  Bail  for  the  said  William  Sanders  be 
and  is  hereby  strictly  enjoyned  and  Commanded  to  deliver 
up  to  us  the  said  William  Sanders  on  or  before  Saturday 
next  and  that  in  Case  he  does  not  obey  this  Order  that  his 
Recognizance  be  instantly  prosecuted. 

John  Dusenbury  was  brought  before  the  Board  and  lib- 
erated from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
for  his  future  good  Behaviour  &  Appearance  before  any 
one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  called 
upon. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      381 


John  Dusenbury  on  Recognizance.  £200  —  o  —  o 
Jacob  Filkins  his  Bail  ......  in  ...  £100  —  o  —  o 

Benjamin  Lister  his  Bail  also,  in.  .  .  £100  —  o  —  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 

Met  Albany  7*  July  1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  |       j  Mathew  Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van   Renselaer  j        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

A  Request  was  made  to  the  Board  by  Col1.  Killian  Van 
Renselaer  Lieut?  Col1-  John  H  Beekman  &  Major  Jacob 
Schermerhorn  for  Permission  for  Henry  Van  Schaack  & 
David  Van  Schaack  to  go  &  remain  for  a  while  at  Kinder- 
hook  to  adjust  some  Necessary  Business  which  without 
their  Presence  could  not  be  compleated  Ordered  that  the 
said  Request  be  taken  into  Consideration. 

Received  a  Letter  from  Hugh  Mitchell  Esq?  one  of  the 
Members  of  this  Board  dated  5*h  Instant  respecting  a  cer- 
tain Butler  Shehen  who  lately  made  his  Escape  from  the 
Guard  at  Stillwater  &  who  he  has  caused  to  be  appre- 
hended which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout) 

Ordered  that  an  Answer  be  wrote  to  the  above  Letter  in 
the  Words  following,  to  wit  (prout) 

Received  a  Letter  from  Zephaniah  Batchelor  Esqr  &  Col' 
Frederick  Fisher  of  Tryon  County  respecting  the  removal  of 
the  prisoners  by  the  Honourable  Brigadier  General  James 
Clinton  which  Letter  is  dated  the  3^  Instant  &  is  in  the 
Words  following,  to  wit,  (prout) 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 


382  State  of  New  York 


Met  Alban7  8-h  July  1779 
Present 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (A/TI.       17-      L 

^         .  ,    TT        T>         i        f       1  Mathew  Visscher 
Jeremiah   Van   Kenselaer ) 

Jacob  Broadhower  One  of  the  Prisoners  sent  down  from 
Tryon  County  by  order  of  General  Clinton  was  brought  be- 
fore the  Board  &  it  appearing  to  us  from  the  Certificates 
produced  in  favour  of  the  said  John  Broadhower  that  he 
may  with  propriety  be  let  to  Bail  do  therefore  order  that 
he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  when 
called  upon  by  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspira- 
cies or  other  Judicial  Authority. 

Jacob    Broadhower    on    Recogniz- 
ance  in..  £100   :  o   :  o 

Nicholas  Broadhower  his  Bail  in..   £100  —  o  —  o 

Johannis  Alt,  Nicholas  Shafer,  Michael  Van  Cougnont  & 
Johannis  Shafer  who  were  also  sent  down  from  Tryon 
County  Goal  to  be  here  confined  by  order  of  General  Clin- 
ton were  all  of  them  brought  before  the  Board  &  it  appear- 
ing from  a  Certificate  signed  by  John  Fonda  &  Andrew 
Wemp1  Esq*  two  of  the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  the  County 
of  Tryon  that  the  said  Persons  above  mentioned  may  with 
Safety  be  discharged  from  Confinement  on  Bail  therefore  or- 
dered that  they  the  said  John  Alt,  Nicholas  Shaver,  Michael 
Van  Cougnont  &  Johannis  Shaver  be  severally  liberated 
from  Confinement  on  their  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to 
appear  before  Zephaniah  Batchelor  &  the  said  John  Fonda 
EsqT?  each  of  them  with  a  good  &  sufficient  Security  &  be- 
fore them  the  said  Zephaniah  Batchelor  &  John  Fonda 

1  Wemple. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      383 

enter  into  a  Recognizance  for  their  Appearance  when  called 
upon  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies 
and  for  their  good  Behaviour. 

Johannis  Alt  on  Recognizance  ...  .in  £100  —  o  —  o 
Nicholas  Shaver  on  Recognizance  in  £100   :  o   :  o 
Michael  Van  Cougnont  on  Recog- 
nizance in £100   :  o   :  o 

Johannis  Shaver  on  Recognizance  in  £100  —  o  —  o 
Nicholas  Broadhower  their  Bail  ..  in  £100   :  o    :  o 

John  Shaver  Also  their  Bail in  £100   :  o   :  o 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Zepheniah  Batchelor  & 
Isaac  Fonda1  Esq."  to  take  the  Recognizance  of  the  above 
mentioned  Persons  agreeable  to  the  above  Entry  and  transmit 
them  to  us  as  soon  as  possible  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words 
following,  to  wit  (prout) 

Walter  Trumble  some  Time  heretofore  confined  was 
brought  before  the  Board  &  Cap*  Hager  certified  to  us  that 
it  is  his  Opinion  that  the  said  Walter  Trumble  may  with 
safety  be  bailed  and  no  particular  Charge  appearing  against 
him  Ordered  that  he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  [87]  Be- 
haviour and  appearance  when  called  upon  before  any  one  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies. 

Walter  Trumble  on  Recognizance  in. . .  £100  :  o  :  o 

Robert  Trumble  his  Bail in. . .  £100  :  o  :  o 

Alexander  Magee  also  his  Bail . .  .in. . .  £100  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 

Met  Albany  9^h  July  1779  T*779 

Present 


Mathew  Visscher 

»John  Fonda 


384  State  of  New  York 


Tu779  Jonn  More  was  brought  before  the  Board  in  Consequence 
of  a  Certificate  of  John  Fonda,  Volkert  Veeder  &  Andrew 
Wemple  Esqr?  Justices  for  the  County  of  Tryon  wherein  they 
certify  that  the  said  John  Moore  has  heretofore  always 
behaved  himself  as  a  peaceable  Subject  of  the  State  &  that 
they  Imagin  that  his  late  Misconduct  has  proceeded  from  the 
Insinuations  of  some  designing  &  deceitful  Persons  &  recom- 
mending it  to  us  to  admit  the  said  John  More  to  Bail  &  we 
having  taken  the  same  into  Consideration  do  order  that  the 
said  John  More  be  liberated  from  his  Confinement  on  enter- 
ing into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  & 
appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Con- 
spiracies or  any  judicial  Authority  when  called  upon. 

John  More  on  Recognizance  in £200   :   o  :  o 

Jacob  Frey  his  Bail in £200  —  0:0 

George  Any  was  brought  before  the  Board  in  Consequence 
of  a  Certificate  of  John  Fonda,  Volkert  Veeder,  &  Andrew 
Wemple  Esq™  Justices  for  the  County  of  Tryon  wherein  they 
certify  that  the  said  George  Any  has  heretofore  always  be- 
haved himself  as  a  peaceable  Subject  of  the  State  &  that 
they  Imagin  that  his  late  Misconduct  has  proceeded  from  the 
Insinuations  of  some  designing  &  deceitful  Persons  & 
recommended  it  to  us  to  admit  the  said  George  Any  to  Bail 
and  we  having  taken  the  same  into  Consideration  do  order 
that  the  said  George  Any  be  liberated  from  his  Confinement 
on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour 
&  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  or  any  judicial  Authority  when  called  upon. 

George  Any  on  Recognizance  in. ...  £200   :  o  :  o 
Godfrey  Any  his  Bail in £200  —  0:0 

Johannis  Groenenfragh,  Johannis  P.  Wighman,  Casper 
Smith  and  Frederick  Mouche  four  German  Deserters  from 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      385 

Burgoyne's  Army  having  been  concerned  in  several  Rob-  T1779 
beries  and  having  been  of  the  Party  who  made  an  Attempt 
to  rob  Jacob  Cooper  were  apprehended  &  brought  before  the 
Board  &  severally  examined  Ordered  that  they  be  [88] 
confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to 
receive  them  into  his  Custody  and  safely  keep  them. 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 

Met  Albany  ioth  July  1779  1779 

Present  Jul?  I0- 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        j  j          D    F     d 
Mathew  Visscher  j        ( 

As  the  German  Prisoners  Yesterday  confined  are  not  able 
to  express  themselves  so  as  to  be  understood  by  any  of 
the  Members  of  this  Board  thereupon  Ordered  that  John 
Roorback  Esq^  be  requested  to  attend  this  Board  immediately 
for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  said  German  Prisoners. 

John  Roorback  attending  in  Consequence  of  the  request 
of  this  Board  proceeded  to  the  Examination  of  Johannis 
Groenenfragh,  Johannis  P.  Wighman,  Casper  Smith  and 
Frederick  Mouche  and  having  reduced  their  Several  Exami- 
tions  to  writing  Ordered  that  they  be  recommitted. 

The  Board  then  adjourned 

Met  Albany  I?  July  1779  T  1779 

Present  July  '3' 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  T          T\  i?     j 
•*r    .        _..  r       -{  Isaac  U  Tonda 

Mathew  Visscher    )        (. 

Adam  Shaver,  Nicolas  Ault  &  Peter  Fikes  who  were  sent 
down  from  Tryon  County  by  Order  of  General  Clinton  to  be 
here  confined  were  all  of  them  brought  before  the  Board  and 
it  appearing  to  us  from  the  Conduct  heretofore  sustained 


386  State  of  New  York 


Tul77?  ^7  tne  said  Persons  that  no  Danger  to  the  publick  Safety 
is  to  [be]  apprehended  from  them  therefore  Ordered  that 
they  the  said  Adam  Shaver,  Nicholas  Ault  and  Peter  Fikes 
be  severally  liberated  from  Confinement  on  their  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  to  appear  before  Zephaniah  Batchelor  & 
John  Fonda  Esq^?  each  of  them  with  a  good  &  sufficient 
Security  &  before  them  the  said  Zepheniah  Batchelor  &  the 
said  John  Fonda  Esqrs  enter  into  a  Recognizance  for  their 
Appearance  when  called  upon  before  any  one  of  the  Com- 
missioners o£  Conspiracies  &  for  their  good  Behaviour. 

Adam  Shaver  on  Recognizance  in.  ...   £100  :  o  :  o 

Nicholas  Ault  on  Recognizance  in.  ...   £100  :  o  :  o 

Peter  Fikes  on  Recognizance.  .  in.  ...   £100  :  o  :  o 

John  Shaver  their  Bail  .......  in.  ...  £100  :  o  :  o 

Johannis  Ault  also  their  Bail.  .  in.  ...  £100  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 

1779          [89]  Met  Albany  14th'  July  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  T\T    i        -vr-      i 
:;  >       4  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda       )        (. 

Zachariah  Butler  appeared  this  Day  before  the  Board 
with  Elisha  Rodgers  a  Draught  from  Col-  Killian  Van 
Renselaer's  Regiment  belonging  to  the  nine  Months  Service 
who  the  said  Zachariah  Butler  by  a  Recognizance  entered 
into  before  this  Board  engaged  to  deliver  up  Ordered  that 
the  said  Elisha  Rodgers  be  delivered  over  to  Coll  Henry  K 
Van  Renselaer  Commanding  the  Regiment  of  new  Levies. 

An  Extract  from  the  Minutes  of  the  Committee  of  the 
City  and  County  of  Albany  was  laid  before  the  Board 
wherein  they  recommend  to  us  to  cite  before  us  John  Klock 
an  Inhabitant  of  this  City  who  they  look  upon  as  a  Person 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      387 


extremely  dangerous  to  the  State  on  Account  of  his  Utter      J779 
Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause     Ordered  on  Consid- 
ering the  same  that  the  said  John  Klock  be  cited  to  appear 
before  the  Board  this  Afternoon. 

Another  Extract  from  the  Minutes  .of  the  Committee  of 
the  City  and  County  of  Albany  was  laid  before  the  Board 
wherein  they  recommend  to  us  an  Enquiry  into  the  Con- 
duct of  John  Cobham  &  Ivy  Chambers  who  are  prisoners 
of  War  and  who  they  conceive  as  such  ought  not  to  be 
trusted  with  so  much  Liberty  as  they  at  present  do  each 
of  them  enjoy  Ordered  also  that  they  be  severally  cited 
to  appear  before  the  Board  this  Afternoon. 

The  Board  then  adjourned. 

Met  Albany  i#h  July  1779  jul?7?6. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  T          r\    r?      i 
ATI        TT-      i         f       i  Isaac  D.  Jbonda 
Mathew  Visscher    j 

Jacobus  Hoogtaling  one  of  the  Party  of  the  Robbers  in- 
festing the  Neighborhood  of  Pocsink  Hellebergh  &c  who 
has  been  with  Brant  and  Butler  at  the  Destruction  of  the 
Settlements  on  the  Mohawk  River  having  been  apprehended 
was  brought  before  the  Board  Ordered  that  he  be  examined. 

Jacobus  Hoogtaling  having  been  examined  Ordered 
that  he  be  committed  &  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to 
the  Goaler  to  take  him  into  his  Custody. 

A  Letter  from  George  Herchemer,  George  H  Bell  & 
Warner  Dygert  dated  the  I3*h  Instant  was  laid  before  the 
Board  wherein  they  request  the  Liberation  of  Peter 
Schuyler  &  John  Jost  Schuyler  from  Confinement  which 
Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  prout 

Ordered  that  the  above  Letter  be  taken  into  Consideration. 


388  State  of  New  York 


1779  Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Brigadier  General 
Clinton  inclosing  a  Copy  of  the  Examination  of  Jacobus 
Hoogtaling  which  Letter  is  in  the  Words  following  (to  wit) 
prout 

The  Board  then  Adjourned. 

[9°1  Met  Albany  I9^h  July  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  f        f  T          r\  T?     j 
:[,    .        TT.  •<  Isaac  D  Fonda. 

Matnew  Visscher    (.        ( 

A  Recognizance  of  Michael  Van  Coughnot  taken  before 
Zepheniah  Batch elor  Esqr  was  laid  before  the  Board  Or- 
dered that  the  Secretary  file  the  same. 

An  Affidavit  was  exhibited  by  [sic]  this  Board  by  Cath- 
arine Simpson  living  at  Schohary  setting  forth  that  a  Number 
of  Persons  a  few  Days  ago  came  to  her  House  and  under  a 
Pretence  of  her  Husband  being  a  Person  disaffected  to  the 
American  Cause  did  forcibly  pull  down  her  House  and  dis- 
troy  her  Furniture  and  Cloaths  Ordered  on  Consideration 
of  the  same  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Johannis  Lawyer  & 
Jonas  Vrooman  Esq"  two  Justices  of  the  Peace  at  Scho- 
hary recommending  it  to  them  to  make  an  enquiry  into  the 
Root  above  mentioned  and  bind  over  such  Persons  as  are 
concerned  in  it  to  the  Peace  to  appear  at  the  next  supreme 
Court. 

Jacob  Haines  having  been  heretofore  confined  for  enter- 
taining the  Robbers  at  Pocsink  &c  and  supplying  them 
with  Provisions  was  now  brought  before  the  Board  Or- 
dered that  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement  on  his 
taking  an  Oath  that  he  will  not  Aid  Comfort  or  assist  any 
Person  or  Persons  whom  he  knows  or  Suspects  to  be  Rob- 
bers or  who  are  disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  or  who  in 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      389 


Order  to  screen  themselves  from  doing  Milatary  Duty  keep  TuJ779 
&  skulk  in  the  Woods  or  who  have  deserted  from  the  Con- 
tinental Service  &  that  he  will  upon  Discovery  of  any  of 
those  Persons  immediately  give  Notice  thereof  to  the  Com- 
missioners of  Conspiracies  or  some  other  Authority  in  this 
State  &  on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  the  next 
two  Years  to  keep  the  Peace  and  appear  before  any  one  of 
the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon. 

Jacob  Haines  on  Recognizance in  £200  :  o  :  o 

Albert  Bradt  of  Niscuthaw  his  Bail  in  £200  :  o  :  o 

The  Board  then  adjourned 

Met  Albany  21st   July  1770  *779 

Present  **>  «• 

John  M.  Beekman  )        (  •. ,    ,        *7.      , 
1  ^  r       I  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda         )        ( 

Asa  Richardson  having  some  Time  ago  by  Order  of  this 
Board  been  confined  in  Goal  for  Disaffection  to  the  American 
Cause  was  brought  before  the  Board  &  we  jud[g]ing  that  his 
Confinement  has  been  sufficiently  long  do  therefore  Order 
that  he  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  &  Appearance 
before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when- 
ever called  upon  in  two  Years  from  this  Day 

• 

Asa  Richardson  in  Recognizance in. ...  £100 

Samuel  Sherwood  his  Bail in. ...  £100 

[91]  Henry  Stater  having  also  been  confined  for  Dis- 
affection to  the  American  Cause  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  on  his  Offering  good  Security  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  &  Appearance  before  any  One  of  the  Commis- 
sioners of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  within  the  next  two 


390  State  of  New  York 


1779      Years  he  was  discharged  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to 
adhere  to  the  Restrictions 

Henry  Stater  on  Recognizance in. ...  £100 

Cornelius  Van  Der    Zee   of  Niscuthaw  his 

Bail  in £100 

Adam  Haines  having  been  confined  for  Disaffection  was 
also  liberated  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  &  Appearance  before  any  One  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  within  the  next 
two  Years  he  was  discharged  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance 
to  adhere  to  the  Restrictions 

Adam  Haines  on  Recognizance in. ...  £100 

William  Van  Alen  his  Bail in. ...  £100 

Mary  Herchermer  Wife  of  Johan  Jost  Herchermer  made 
Application  to  the  Board  for  Permission  to  go  to  Canada  to 
her  Husband. 

Ordered  that  she  be  informed  that  this  Board  have  no 
Authority  to  grant  her  Request  but  that  we  will  make  known 
her  Application  to  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton 

Abraham  Hoogteling  was  ordered  to  be  brought  before  the 
Board  and  examined  after  which  he  was  ordered  to  be 
recommitted 

Jacobus  Hoogteling  was  also  examined  and  afterwards 
Ordered  to  be  recommitted. 

A  Letter  from  David  Smith  dated  the  5*h   July  directed 
to  this  Board  was  read  &  is  in  the  Words  following,  to  wit, 
(prout)     Ordered  that  the  same  be  filed  — 
The  Board  then  adjourned 

1779  Met  Albany  22nd  July  1779 

July  22.  present 


John  M  Beekman   )         (  A/r    ,        w      u 
J  y       -j  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda        J        ( 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      391 


Johannis   Groonenbagh  was    brought   before   the   Board    y1,779 
and  Examined     ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Ordered  that  Nicholas  C.  Van  Den  Bergh  be  cited  to 
Appear  before  the  Board  on  Saturday  the  24—  of  July  Instant 
to  support  the  Charge  of  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause 
by  him  exhibited  against  Isaac  Fonda  — 

[92]  Received  a  Letter  from  Volckert  Veeder  Esq-  One  of 
the  Justices  of  the  Peace  of  Tryon  County  respecting  the 
Liberation  of  sundry  Persons  now  here  Confined  in  Goal 
ordered  that  the  same  be  taken  into  Consideration  — 

A  Letter  from  Peter  Ehl  Cornelius  Smith  and  Volckert 
Veeder  Dated  19  July  1779  was  read  and  is  in  the  Words 
following  (to  wit)  (prout)  ordered  that  the  same  be  filed 
and  that  the  Consideration  thereof  be  postponed  to  a  future 
Day  — 

Henry  Rush  having  been  confined  as  a  suspicious  Person 
was  examined  and  afterwards  ordered  to  be  recommitted  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  23d   Tuly  1770  _  ^779 

r,  J     °     J    J     ' ' 7  July  23. 

rresent 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  A/T    u       \r      u 
-1  [•       -j  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda        )        ( 

James  Bruce  who  Was  bound  by  a  Recognizance  to  Appear 
at  the  next  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  to  be  holden  on  the 
last  Tuesday  of  this  Month  in  this  City  and  to  Deliver  up  to 
Col1-  Henry  K  Van  Renselaer  Lemuel  Turner  a  Soldier  en- 
listed in  the  nine  Months  Service  who  had  Deserted  &  whom 
the  said  James  Bruce  had  Secreted  &  harboured,  appeared 
this  Day  and  proved  by  a  Certificate  that  the  [sic]  had  De- 
livered up  the  said  Lemuel  Turner  where  upon  In  Con- 
sequence of  a  Recommendation  of  Sundry  well  affected 
persons  It  is  ordered  that  the  said  James  Bruce  be  Discharged 


392  State  of  New  York 


^rom  t^lat  ^art  °^is  Recognizance  which  requires  his  Appear- 
ance at  the  Supreme  Court  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Lieu^  Thomas  Ismay 
in  the  following  Words  (to  wit)  see  Letter  of  this  Date  on  the 
file—1 

A  Reward  of  two  Hundred  Dollars  having  been  offered  to 
any  Persons  who  would  apprehend  Johannis  Groonenbagh 
Johannis  P  Weeghman  Casper  Smith  &  Frederick  Mouche 
&  Ensign  Hendrick  Shaper2  having  with  a  Party  of  Men 
apprehended  &  brought  to  Goal  the  said  Person[s]  It  is 
therefore  ordered  that  the  above  Reward  be  paid  to  [93]  the 
said  Hendrick  Shafer  — 

M^  Halenbeeck  Wife  of  Michael  Halenbeeck  Appeared 
before  the  Board  according  to  Order  whereupon  she  was 
examined  as  to  the  Robbery  Committed  on  the  said  Michael 
Halenbeeck  and  then  Discharged  — 

John  Clock  being  a  Person  Disaffected  to  the  American 
Cause  as  has  appeared  to  this  Board  from  the  Information 
of  sundry  respecttable  Persons  was  cited  to  appear,  on  his 
appearance  avowing  his  Principles  ordered  that  he  be 
Confined  and  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  take 
him  into  his  Custody  — 

1779  Met  Albany  24th  July  1779  — 

July  24.  Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  Ayr    ,        T7.      , 
::          _  ._      .          >•       •(  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  u  Jbonda       )        ( 

An  Account  of  John  Ja:  Beekman  was  laid  before  the 
Board  for  hire  of  his  Waggon  to  Saratoga  and  Helleberg 
Amounting  to  £24.^1  os  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid. — 

1  Ismay  was  paid  £2  u  25.  in  this  month  for  dieting  and  lodging  Peter  Seeger 
and  for  his  own  services  in  search  of  robbers. —  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  171,  State  Comptroller's  office. 

8  So  written  erroneously  for  Shafer. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      393 


Ordered  that  Bethuel  Washburn  Commissary  of  Issues  be      *779 
paid  £197  for  Bread  furnished  by  him  for  the  State  Prisoners1 

Nicholas  C  Van  Den  Bergh  appearing  according  to  Order 
produced  Several  Witnesses  in  Support  of  his  Charge  of 
Disaffection  against  Isaac  Fonda  on  hearing  of  which  it  is 
resolved  As  the  Opinion  of  this  Board  that  the  Charge  against 
the  said  Isaac  is  ill  founded  — 

Met  Albany  27  July  1779  .W> 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  T          T\  T?     j 
T  i      TVT  r>     i  f       1  Isaac  D  I'onda 

John  M  JtJeekman  )        ( 

Zachariah  Butler  &  Micajah  Brotherton  who  were  Sev- 
erally bound  by  Recognizance  for  their  Personal  Appearance 
at  the  next  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  to  be  held  in  this 
City  on  the  last  Tuesday  of  this  Instant  Month  of  July 
Appeared  before  the  Board  and  in  Consequence  of  a  Recom- 
mendation from  sundry  well  affected  Inhabitants  [94]  of 
Stephen  Town  they  were  Discharged  as  to  that  Part  of  their 
Recognizances  requiring  their  Appearance  at  the  next 
Suoreme  Court  but  Continued  as  to  the  remainder  — 

Met  Albany  28th  July  1770  1779 

Present  JlUy  28" 

Jeremiah  Van    Renselaer  )        j  j          D  F     r! 
John  M  Beekman  )        ( 

Major  Samuel  Ten  Broeck  appeared  [before]  the  Board 
with  a  certain  Wendel  Yager  who  he  had  apprehended  on 
Suspicion  of  being  co[n]cerned  in  a  robbery  committed  in 
Livingston's  Manor  ordered  that  he  be  confined  and  that  a 

1  The  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  167,  State  Comp- 
troller's office. 


394  State  of  New  York 


1779      Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  take  him  into  his 
July  28. 

Custody  — 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Cornelius  Cuyler 
for  Flour  purchased  of  him  for  the  Use  of  the  State  Prisoners 
ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — 

It  is  ordered  that  in  future  no  Pass  be  given  to  any  Person 
Except  with  the  Consent  and  approbation  of  three  of  the 
Members  of  this  Board  — 

It  is  further  ordered  that  the  Committe[e]  now  sitting  in 
this  City  be  requested  not  to  grant  any  Passes  in  future  to  any 
Person  or  Persons  whatever  except  on  a  Recommendation 
of  this  Board  — 

And  also  resolved  that  the  same  Request  be  made  to  the 
Justices  in  this  City  — 

Information  having  been  exhibited  to  this  Board  by  Jere- 
miah Van  Renselaer  Esq-  one  of  the  Members  that  Stephen 
Van  Dyck  of  Lenenburgh  has  been  ascessery  [sic]  to  the 
Escape  of  Samuel  M-Farland  who  had  broke  out  of  the  Goal 
in  this  City  &  the  said  Stephen.  Van  Dyck  being  a  Disaffected 
Person  — 

therefore  resolved  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  forthwith 
to  apprehend  the  said  Stephen  Van  Dyck  — 

It  appearing  to  this  Board  by  Information  of  Casp*1  Cline 
that  Peter  Lempman  Jun-  of  Livingstons  Manor  who  has 
been  bound  by  a  Recognizance  to  appear  on  the  last  Day 
of  every  Month  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  is  unable  on  Account  of  an  Ailment  to  perform 
[95]  that  part  of  his  Recognizance  which  requires  his  Monthly 
Appearance  before  the  Commissioners  — 

Therefore  ordered  that  he  in  future  make  his  Appearance 
Before  the  said  Capi  Cline  — 

Adjourned 
»  An  error  for  "  Cap*  " 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      395 


Met  Albany  29th  July  1779  Tniv7?n 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  T          r\  v     j 

T         •  u   \T        r>         i        f       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 
Jeremiah   Van    Ranselaer  j        ( 

William  Flood  having  been  some  Time  ago  confined  in 
Goal  as  a  Person  Disaffected  to  the  American  Cause  whose 
going  at  large  might  prove  dangerous  to  the  Safety  of  the 
State  and  application  being  now  made  by  Joseph  Jadwin 
for  the  Liberation  of  the  said  William  Flood  and  as  his 
Confinement  has  been  of  Sufficient  Duration  thereof  ordered 
that  he  be  Discharged  on  his  entring  into  a  Recognizance 
with  the  said  Joseph  Jadwin  as  his  Surety  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  and  remaining  on  the  Farm  of  the  said 
Joseph  Jadwin  &  appearing  before  any  three  of  the  Com- 
missioners of  Conspiracies  when  called  upon  in  the  next  three 
years  from  the  Date  hereof 

William  Flood  on  Recognizance  ...in..  £100 —  o 
Joseph  Jadwin  of  Schatikoke  Yeomen 
his  bail  in £100  —  o 

Whereas  there  are  many  disaffected  Persons  residing  at 
Stillwater  in  this  County  Some  of  whom  have  been  with  the 
Enemy  and  others  by  their  Conduct  and  Conversation  give 
Offence  to  the  good  People  of  the  said  Place  therefore  ordered 
that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  Directed  to  Cap-  Job  Wright 
Commanding  him  to  apprehend  Isaac  Bryant  &  such  other 
Disaffected  Persons  as  have  been  with  the  Enemy  &  have  not 
entered  into  Recognizance  before  this  Board  and  forthwith 
bring  them  before  us  and  also  that  the  said  Cap-  Wright  be 
directed  to  seize  the  Cattle  of  the  said  Isaac  Bryant  &  keep 
[96]  them  in  his  Possession  untill  he  shall  receive  Directions 
from  this  Board  in  what  Manner  to  Dispose  of  them  — 

Adjourned 


396  State  of  New  York 


'779  Met  Albany  3ist  July  1779 

Present 


John  M  Beekman  )        (  T          ^  ^      . 

.  ,    w        _  [•       •<  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah    Van    Ranselaer  )        ( 


Jeremiah   Van    Ranselaer  j 

Philip  Empey  one  of  the  Prisoners  sent  from  Tryon 
County  as  being  a  Disaffected  &  Dangerous  Person  was 
brought  before  the  Board  and  examined  and  he  appearing 
Determined  to  attone  for  his  former  bad  Conduct  by  rendering 
the  State  every  Service  in  his  Power  therefore  ordered  that 
he  be  Dischar[g]ed  from  his  Confinement  on  his  entering  into 
a  Recognizance  with  John  Empey  as  his  Surety  for  his 
remaining  within  the  Limits  of  the  Township  of  Schnectady 
for  his  future  good  Behavior  &  appearance  before  any 
three  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  when  Called 
upon  — 

Philip  Empey  on  Recognizance  in £200 

John  Empey  his  bail in £200 

Ordered  that  [blank]  Davis  be  examined  and  his  Examina- 
tion be  reduced  to  writing  &  filed 

Adjourned 

I779  Met  Albany  2nd  Aug^  1779 

Aug.  2.  Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  T          r\  t?     j 

T         •  u    v       -D        i        f       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 
Jeremiah     Van  Ranselaer  j        ( 

Information  having  been  exhibited  to  this  Board  by 
John  Lendert  that  some  of  the  Goods  Stolen  from  him  the 
said  John  Leonard  are  at  present  in  the  Possession  of  Evert 
Sixby  and  Roeliff  Seger  therefore  ordered  that  a  Warrant 
be  made  out  and  Directed  to  Li  Thomas  Ismay  to  search  the 
Houses  of  the  said  Evert  Sixby  &  Roliff  Seger  and  if  they 
find  any  goods  which  they  suspect  to  be  Stolen  to  bring 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      397 


the  same  together  with  the  Persons  in  whose  Possession  the    A  J779 

Aug.  2. 
goods  are  found  before  us  forthwith 

[97]  The  Board  having  received  Information  that  William 
Schermerhorn  is  at  present  lurking  some  where  about  his 
Farm  It  is  therefore  ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to 
Lieu-  Thomas  Ismay  to  go  with  his  Party  of  Men  to  Pec- 
sink  and  there  endeavour  to  apprehend  the  said  William 
Schermerhorn 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  3d  August  1779  J779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  T          T-V  T?     j 

T         •  u  T/       r»         i        f       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 
Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        ( 

The  Board  having  received  Information  that  Walter  Norris 
of  this  City  is  able  to  give  some  Intiligence  with  Respect  to 
the  secreting  Samuel  M  -  Farlan  who  broke  out  of  Goal  a  few 
Days  ago  and  he  being  sent  for  and  examined  and  it  appear- 
ing from  his  Examination  that  Jeremiah  Johnson  of  this 
Place  was  privy  to  the  Concealing  of  the  said  Samuel  M-- 
Farlan  Therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Jeremiah  Johnson 
be  ordered  to  attend  this  Board  to  Morrow  Morning  — 

Received  a  Letter  from  David  Smith  of  Cambridge  District 
dated  the  5th  Day  of  July  1779  respecting  a  certain  Charles 
Church  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)  (prout) 
ordered  that  the  said  Letter  be  filed  and  that  the  subject 
Matter  thereof  be  taken  into  Consideration  at  a  future  Day 

Jesse  Fairchild  Laid  before  the  Board  an  Account  of  Serv- 
ices performed  by  him  towards  securing  the  State  Prisoners 
amounting  to  £222  —  16  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid  — l 

1  The  original  voucher,  for  handcuffs,  etc.,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts, 
vol.  40,  p.  171,  State  Comptroller's  office.  For  a  statement  of  his  services 
from  July  2,  1779,  to  March  6,  1780,  amounting  to  £838  „  6s.  H  iod.,  see  ibid, 
p.  172. 


39$  State  of  New  York 


Lieu-  Thomas  Ismay  by  a  Letter  informs  us  that  he  sends 
Hannah  Seeger  in  whose  Possession  were  found  some  of  the 
stolen  Goods  of  John  Lendert  ordered  that  she  be  confined 
and  that  [a]  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the  Goaler  to  take  her 
into  his  Custody 

Adjourned  — 

[9^  Met  Albany  4th  August  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        j  Mathew   Visscher 

Jeremiah  Van   Renselaer  j        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

In  Consequence  of  the  Order  of  this  Board  of  Yesterday 
Jeremiah  Johnson  appeared  ordered  that  he  be  examined 
on  Oath 

Jeremiah  Johnson  being  examined  denies  the  Charge 
alledged  against  him  but  says  that  John  M-Dole  and 
Alexander  M-Elhany  were  both  of  them  concerned  in  har- 
bouring and  Secreting  Samuel  M-Farlan  after  his  Escape 
from  Goal  whereupon  ordered  that  the  said  John  M-Dole 
&  Alexander  M-Elhany  be  cited  to  appear  before  this 
Board  forthwith  — 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  to  this  Board  Deliver  up  to 
Janet  Clement  the  Power  of  Attorney  belonging  to  the  said 
Janet  Clement  Lodged  in  his  Hands  — 

It  is  Ordered  that  Hanah  Seeger  now  confined  in  Goal 
have  Permission  to  return  Home  until  she  be  called  upon 
by  any  one  of  the  Members  of  this  Board  — 

The  Board  taking  into  Consideration  the  Letter  Yester 
day  received  from  David  Smith  do  in  Co[n]sequence  thereof 
Order  that  Charles  Church  mentioned  in  the  said  Letter 
be  apprehended  and  Confined  — 

Adjourned 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      399 


Met  Albany  5th  August  1779 
Present  ug*  5* 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  Mathew   Visscher 

Jeremiah   Van   Renselaer  )       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 

William  Halenbeeck  having  by  Order  of  this  Board  been 
apprehended  by  Lieu-  Thomas  Ismay  for  harbouring  a 
Party  of  Robbers  and  being  Accessary  to  a  Number  of 
Robberies  by  them  committed  was  brought  before  us  and 
examined  and  the  Proffs  alledged  against  the  Said  William 
Halenbeeck  not  being  sufficiently  Clear  so  as  to  justify  his 
further  Confinement 

[99]  Therefore  Ordered  that  he  be  Discharged  on  his 
taking  an  Oath  in  future  to  harbour  no  Tories  or  Robbers 
and  to  give  Notice  to  this  Board  of  all  such  Persons  of  that 
Denomination  as  may  come  to  his  House 

It  is  Ordered  that  Lieui  Thomas  Ismay  deliver  up  to 
William  Halenbeeck  the  Gun  which  he  has  taken  from  him 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Hendrick  Bliss  for 
bringing  up  from  Livingstons  Manor  to  his  Place  Wendell 
Yager  the  sum  of  £3-4-0  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  6th  A[u]gust  1779  1779 

Present  Aue- 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  T          r>»  T-     j 
ATI        TT-  r       i  Isaac  D  I'onda 

Mathew  Visscher   ;         ( 

Joseph  Concklin  having  been  confined  some  Time  ago  by 
Order  of  this  Board  was  brought  before  us  and  on  acknowl- 
edging his  Fault  and  asuring  us  of  his  Amendment  in  future 

Therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Joseph  Concklin  be  Dis- 
charged from  his  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance for  his  future  good  Behaviour  Doing  his  Duty  as 
a  good  and  faithful  Subject  of  the  State  of  New  York  and 


4oo  State  of  New  York 


for  his  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  when  thereunto  required  within  the  next  three 
Years  from  this  Day  — 

Joseph  Concklin  on  Recognizance  .....  in.  .  £100 
Peter  Van  Campen  of  Newtown  his  Bail  in.  .  £100 

Adjourned 

Met  Alban7  7th  August  1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  T          r\  T?     j 
J  [       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        (. 

Received  a  Letter  from  Zepheniah  Batchalor  Esq-  of 
Tryon  County  dated  the  6-  I[n]stant  which  Letter  is  in 
the  words  following  (to  wit)  (prout)  Ordered  that  the 
same  be  filed 

[100]  The  Board  taking  into  Consideration  the  Charge 
alledged  against  Johannis  Kitman  of  Stone  Arabia  in  Tryon 
County  and  finding  no  Meterial  Evidence  against  him  do 
therefore  order  that  he  be  discharged  from  his  Confinement 
on  entering  into  Recognizance  for  his  future  good  Behaviour 
and  Appearance  before  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  or  any  Judicial  Authority  in  the  next  three 
Years  — 

Johannis  Kitman  Principal  on  Recognizance 
in  ....................................  £500 

Jacob  Kits  of  Cagnuago  his  Bail  in  ........      500 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  8th  August  1779 

Au«-  *•  Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van     Ranselear  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      401 


The  Hon^  Brigadier  General  Ten  Broeck  laid  before  the 
Board  a  Letter  received  from  his  Excellency  Governor 
Clinton  wherein  he  informs  him  that  he  has  received  Infor- 
mation that  a  Large  Party  of  the  Enemy  intend  to  attack 
Kats  Kill  &  Schohary  and  that  Hans  Seger  is  Collecting  a 
Party  of  Men  to  go  off  &  join  them  — 

On  Consideration  whereof  resolved  that  it  be  recommended 
to  General  Ten  Broeck  to  order  out  one  eighth  Part  of  the 
Militia  of  his  Brigade  — 

Ordered  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Lieu-  Thomas  Ismay 
requesting  him  to  send  out  Peter  Seeger  to  make  Discovery 
of  the  Enemy  and  also  to  send  two  or  more  Persons  of  his 
Company  to  the  Roe  Kill  and  Batavia  and  to  keep  Con- 
tinually in  the  night  Scouting  Parties  about  the  Different 
roads  to  take  up  all  Strangers  &  to  report  to  us  from  time 
to  time  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  ioth  August  1770.  .  T77o 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  A,    ,        xr      , 
•L  >      4  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda        )        ( 

Nicholas  Schuyler  of  Tryon  County  appeared  before  the 
Board  and  made  Application  to  have  his  Father  [101]  Peter 
Schuyler  liberated  from  Confinement  — 

Ordered  that  he  be  informed  that  his  father  cannot  be 
released  unless  at  the  Request  and  upon  the  Recommenda- 
tion of  some  of  the  Principal  well  affected  Inhabitants  of 
Tryon  County  and  that  untill  this  is  procured  all  Applica- 
tion in  his  favour  is  needless  — 

John  Frederick  having  been  apprehended  was  brought 
before  the  Board  as  a  Suspicious  Person  on  being  examined 
he  Confesses  he  has  been  with  the  Enemy  last  Summer  and 


402  State  of  New  York 


*779      that  he  has  since  been  Confined  in  Goal  at  Poughkeepsie 
Aug.  10. 

—  from  where  he  has  made  his  Escape     Ordered  that  he 

be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  for  him  — 
Adjourned 

Met  Albany  IIth  August  1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  Mat:  Visscher 
Isaac  D  Fonda       j        (  John  M-Clung 

Whereas  this  Board  have  received  Information  that  many 
Persons  who  have  entered  into  Recognizance  Before  us  for  their 
good  and  peacable  Behaviour  and  Appearance  on  the  last  day 
of  every  month  have  not  Appeared  agreeable  to  the  Tenor  of 
their  said  Recognizance  and  in  Order  that  the  same  may  be 
perticularly  enquired  into  resolved  that  Advertisements  be  put 
up  in  Different  Parts  of  this  County  notifying  every  Person  who 
has  Entered  into  Recognizance  to  appear  before  this  Board 
on  the  last  Day  of  August  Instant  &  that  such  Persons  as  do 
not  appear  will  be  procecuted  on  their  said  Recognizances  — 

In  Consequence  of  the  Order  of  the  4—  Instant  [102] 
commanding  the  Appearance  of  Alexander  M^Elhany  the 
said  M-Elhany  appeared  and  was  examined  as  to  his  being 
concerned  in  favouring  the  Escape  of  Samuel  M-Farland 
from  Goal  and  as  it  appears  that  he  was  not  concerned  in 
the  same  therefore  Ordered  that  he  be  discharged  — 

Jonathan  Pettit  was  also  sent  for  and  examined  as  to 
Samuel  M-Farlan's  Escape  from  Goal  and  then  discharged  — 

Isaac  Bryant  having  a  few  Days  ago  been  confined  was 
this  Day  brought  before  the  Board  and  Examined  — 

Resolved  that  as  nothing  special  appears  against  him  that 
he  be  discharged  until  called  upon  by  any  three  of  the 
Members  of  this  Board  — 

Adjourned 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      403 


Met  Albany  14th  August  1779  A 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         f  T          r*  TP     j 
AT    i        TT-  r       1  Asaac  U  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher    )         (. 

Wendell  Yager  who  was  some  time  ago  committed  by 
Order  of  Major  Samuel  Ten  Broeck  on  Suspicion  of  his 
being  Concerned  in  Some  of  the  Robberies  committed  in 
Livingstons  Manor  was  brought  before  the  Board  and 
Examined  and  as  nothing  Special  appears  against  him  — 

Therefore  Ordered  that  he  be  Discharged  from  his  Con- 
finement on  his  entering  into  a  Recognizance  to  appear  at 
the  next  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  to  be  held  at  the 
City  Hall  in  this  City  on  the  third  tuesday  in  October  Next 
or  Sooner  if  required  before  any  three  of  the  Commissioners 
of  Conspiracies  &  in  the  Mean  Time  to  be  of  the  good 
Behaviour  and  remain  Within  the  Limits  of  District  of 
Livingstons  Manor  and  not  Depart  the  Same  without  the 
Permission  of  Major  Ten  Broeck 

Wendell  Yager  of  Livingstons  Manor  La- 

bourer in  Recognizance  in  ..............  £500 

Hendrick  Yager  of  the  Same  Place  Yeoman 

his  Bail  in  ............................  500 

William  Becker  D°  Yeomen  also  his  Bail  in  .  .      500 

[103]  A  Letter  from  Major  Samuel  Ten  Broeck  at  Roelif 
Janses  Kill  dated  n*!1  Day  of  August  Instant  was  laid 
before  the  Board  which  Letter  is  in  Words  following  (to 
wit)  (see  Letter  on  the  File) 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  I7?h  August  1779  Au77? 

Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 
John  M  Beekman  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 


404  State  of  New  York 


A  certain  John  M^Cullock  was  apprehended  and  brought 
before  the  Board  and  it  appearing  by  a  Certificate  signed 
by  Lieu*  Col-  Stephen  S*  John  dated  at  Norwalk  that  the  said 
MfCullock  is  a  Deserter  from  the  British  Army  &  there  being 
great  Cause  of  Suspicion  against  him  — 

Therefore  ordered  that  he  be  taken  to  the  Guard  House  & 
there  detained  untill  discharged  by  an  Order  of  this  Board  — 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  Esq-  one  of  the  Members  of  this 
Board  informed  us  that  Stephen  Van  Dyck  of  Lonenburgh 
had  been  aiding  &  assisting  Samuel  M-  Farlan  to  make  his 
Escape  after  he  had  broke  out  of  Prison  —  and  Justice  Van 
Hoesen  being  charged  with  advising  Continental  Soldiers 
to  Desert  to  the  Enemy 

Resolved  that  a  Warrant  be  [made]  out  to  apprehend  the 
said  Stephen  Van  Dyck  &  Justice  Van  Hoesen  and  trans- 
mitted to  Col--  Robert  Van  Renselaer  requesting  him  to 
deliver  the  said  Warrant  to  some  Constable  of  Claverack 
District  and  cause  it  to  be  Served  — 

Adjourned 

l10^  ^et  Albany  1 8th  August  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )       j  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D  Fonda        j        (  Hugh  Mitchell 

Cap- Noble  of  a  Regiment  of  Levies  Stationed  at  Schohary 
appeared  before  the  Board  and  informed  us  that  he  had 
apprehended  George  Atkin  as  a  dangerous  and  suspicious 
Person  whereupon  ordered  that  he  be  brought  before  us  — 

The  said  George  Atkin  being  produced  and  examined 
and  he  not  giving  a  satisfactory  Account  of  himself  resolved 
that  he  be  confined  and  that  a  Mittimus  be  made  out  to  the 
Goaler  to  take  him  into  his  Custody  — 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      405 


Met  Albany  19th  August  1779  Ai 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  , ,    ,        w.      , 
£  >•       •<  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  i*onaa        )        (. 

A  Letter  from  the  Honourable  Major  General  Philip 
Schuyler  dated  at  Saratoga  the  i8th  Instant  was  laid  before 
the  Board  wherein  he  informs  us  that  he  has  received  Informa- 
tion that  Several  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Palmertown  have 
been  guilty  of  harbouring  and  concealing  a  Party  of  Men 
from  the  Enemy  and  requesting  us  if  Possible  to  come  up  to 
Saratoga  to  open  a  Board  there  for  the  Purpose  of  investi- 
gating this  Matter  — 

On  considering  the  Above  Letter  it  is  unanimously 
resolved  that  a  Board  be  formed  with  as  much  Dispatch 
as  possible  at  Saratoga  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  26th  August  1779  1779 

Present  Aug.  26. 

John   M    Beeckman  | 
Isaac  D  Fonda  ) 

[105]  The  Board  having  received  Information  that  George 
Atkins  who  was  on  the  18  Instant  confined  is  not  so  danger- 
ous a  Character  as  was  at  first  apprehended  — 

It  is  therefore  resolved  that  he  be  liberated  from  Confine- 
ment on  entring  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  Sufficient 
Surety  for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  before 
any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called 
upon 

George  Atkins  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Wilhelmas  Osterhout  his  Bail,  .in £100 

Evert  Wynkoop  also  his  Bail. .  in £100 


406  State  of  New  York 


Isaac  Bryant  whom  we  requested  Capi  Job  Wright  to  have 
apprehended  was  brought  before  us  and  examined  resolved 
that  he  be  committed  — 

An  Account  of  Ezra  Buel  for  Services  performed  by  him 
for  this  Board  was  laid  before  us  amounting  to  8£  ordered 
that  he  be  paid  — * 

Information  being  given  to  this  Board  by  Edmund  Green 
of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  that  Caleb  Brown,  Caleb 
Brown  Jun-  Jonathan  Brown  Peter  Brown  and  Abijah 
woodward  are  dangerous  and  disaffected  Persons  whose 
going  at  large  unless  under  proper  Restrictions  may  prove 
of  dangerous  Consequence  to  the  State  — 

It  is  therefore  resolved  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  for 
their  immediate  apprehension  — 

The  said  Caleb  Brown  Caleb  Brown  Jun?  Jonathan  Brown 
Peter  Brown  &  Abijah  woodward  being  apprehended  were 
Brought  Before  us  —  ordered  that  they  be  severally  con- 
fined until  they  procure  good  Sufficient  Bail  for  their  good 
Behaviour  &  appearance  before  us  when  called  upon  — 

Justice  Van  Hoesen  and  Stephen  Van  Dyck  for  whose 
apprehension  a  warrant  was  made  out  on  the  ijth  [106] 
Instant  were  brought  before  us  Ordered  that  the[y]  be 
confined  and  a  Mittimus  made  out  for  them  — 

It  having  been  suggested  to  us  Seth  Perry  of  the  Manor 
of  Renselaerwyck  is  able  to  give  some  Material  Information 
against  Caleb  Brown  &  the  other  Persons  above  Mentioned 
who  were  this  Day  committed  to  Goal 

It  is  therefore  ordered  that  the  said  Seth  Perry  be  sent 
for  and  examined  — 

Seth  Perry  on  his  appearing  being  examined  resolved  that 

1  The  original  voucher,  signed  "  Ezra  Buell  ",  is  in  Revolutionary  Manu- 
scripts, vol.  40,  p.  169,  State  Comptroller's  office.  Payment  was  made  for 
serving  warrants  on  Jeremiah  Taylor,  Holtham  Dunham,  William  Magee  and 
Isaac  Bryant. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      407 


he  enter  into  a  Recognizance  to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of 
General  Sessions  of  the  Peace  to  be  held  at  the  City  Hall 
in  this  City  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October  next  and  there  to 
testify  to  such  Matters  as  he  may  know  respecting  Caleb 
Brown  and  the  other  Persons  above  mentioned  &  not  to 
depart  the  Court  without  Leave  — 

Seth  Perry  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck 
Black  Smith  on  Recognizance  in  ..........  £50 

Hendrick  Ten  Eyck  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  ap- 
peared before  the  Board  according  to  order  it  is  resolved 
that  the  said  Hendrick  Ten  Eyck  enter  into  a  Recognizance 
to  appear  at  the  next  Court  of  General  Session[s]  of  the 
Peace  to  be  held  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  Oct-  next  at  the 
City  Hall  in  this  City  to  answer  to  such  matters  as  shall 
then  and  there  be  alledged  against  him  &  not  to  depart  the 
Court  without  Leave  — 

Hendrick  Ten  Eyck  of  the  Manor  of  Ren- 
selaerwyck on  Recognizance  in  ...........  300 

Thomas  Burnsides  of  the  same  place  Yeomen 
his  Bail  in  ...........................  £150 

Adjourned 

[107]  Met  Alba[n]y  27  August  1779  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van   Renselaer  j        (.  Mathew   Visscher 

Received  a  Letter  from  John  Beaty  Esq£  Deputy  Com- 
missary of  Prisoners  dated  at  Head  Quarters  the  23d  Aug.* 
1779  requesting  from  us  a  Return  of  the  Prisoners  of  war 
under  our  Directions  which  Letter  is  in  the  words  following 
(to  wit)  (See  Letter  on  the  File) 


4-o8  State  of  New  York 


1779  John  Smith  a  Deserter  from  Col-  Gansevoorts  Reg-  having 
been  a  long  Time  with  the  Party  of  Robbers  in  the  woods 
at  Peesink  &  Hellebergh  and  there  being  a  Probability  of 
his  making  Some  important  Discoveries  with  Respect  to 
the  said  Robbers  therefore  Ordered  that  he  be  brought 
before  the  Board  and  examined  — 

John  Smith  having  been  brought  before  the  Board  and 
examined  Ordered  that  he  be  recommitted  — 

Caleb  Brown  Caleb  Brown  Jun-  Peter  Brown  Jonathan 
Brown  and  Abijah  Woodward  were  brought  before  the 
Board  and  the  cause  of  Complaint  as  exhibited  to  this 
Board  by  Edmund  Green  being  heard  and  their  Defence 
to  the  same  ordered  on  considering  the  same  that  they  the 
said  Caleb  Brown,  Caleb  Brown  Jun-  Peter  Brown,  Jonathan 
Brown  and  Abijah  Woodward  be  severally  discharged  except 
Caleb  Brown  Jun-  who  having  at  the  time  General  Bur- 
goyne  come  down  from  Canada  gone  over  to  and  joined 
him  and  as  it  is  Necessary  that  the  [said]  Caleb  Brown 
Jun-  should  be  under  Restrictions  for  his  future  good 
Behaviour  therefore  ordered  that  he  be  bound  in  a  Recog- 
nizance for  his  future  good  Behaviour  and  appearance 
before  any  one  of  the  Commiss-  of  Conspiracies  when 
called  upon  for  the  next  three  Years 

[108]  Caleb  Brown  Junior  on  Recognizance  in  £100 
Abijah  Woodward  his  Bail in  £100 

Holtham  Dunham  and  Jeremiah  Taylor  having  been 
cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to  give  their  Information 
respecting  the  Conduct  of  Jotham  Bemus  at  the  Time 
Gen-  Burgoyne  came  from  the  Northward  ordered  that 
the[y]  be  severally  examined  and  that  their  examinations  be 
reduced  to  writing  which  examinations  are  in  the  words 
following  (to  wit)  (see  Examinations  on  the  File) 

Adjourned 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      409 


Met  Albany  Ist  September  1779 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer )        f  A/r    ,        w.      , 
•L  f       1  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda  )        (. 

The  Board  conceiving  that  the  Commitment  of  Stephen 
Van  Dyck  has  been  sufficient  long  we  do  therefore 
order  that  he  be  brought  before  us,  On  his  Offering 
sufficient  Surety  for  his  future  Good  Conduct  it  is 
resolved  that  he  be  liberated  on  his  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance for  his  future  Good  Behaviour  and  appearance 
when  called  upon  by  any  one  of  the  Commissioners  of 
Conspiracies  — 

Stephen  Van  Dyck  on  Recognizance  in £200 

Hendrick  A  Van  Dyck  his  Bail in  ....      200 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  2nd  September  1779  1779 

Present  *#•  2' 

John  M  Beeckman  |       ( 
Isaac  D.  Fonda       )        ( 

Justice  Van  Hoesen  who  was  a  few  days  ago  con- 
fined for  persuading  Soldiers  to  desert  from  the  Conti- 
nental Service  was  Brought  before  the  Board  and  the 
Persons  charging  him  with  the  [109]  same  being  produced 
and  examined  and  it  appearing  that  the  Accusation 
against  the  said  Justice  Van  Hoesen  is  false  and  without 
any  the  least  Foundation  therefore  Ordered  that  the  said 
Justice  Van  Hoesen  be  immediately  discharged  from 
Confinement 

Ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  to  Peter  Seeger  as  a 
Reward  for  giving  Information  respecting  the  Robbers 


4io  State  of  New  York 


infesting  the  Helleberg  Peesink  and  the  Places  adjoining 
the  Sum  of  2o£  and  take  his  Receipt  for  the  Same  — l 

Then  Adjourned 

J779  Met  Albany  7th  September  1770 

7"  Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        j  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  D  Fonda        j        (.  JeremiahVan  Renselaer 

An  Account  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Jeremiah  Van 
Renselaer  for  Cash  Advanced  by  him  for  the  Expences  of 
the  Board  of  Commiss-  at  Saratoga  amounting  to  £15  — 
12s  ordered  that  the  Secretary  pay  and  take  a  Receipt  for 
the  same 

Another  Acount  was  laid  before  the  Board  of  Jacob 
Slingerlandt  for  Services  performed  at  our  Request  amount- 
ing to  £2%  tl  I2§  ordered  that  the  same  be  paid — 2 

Johannis  Staring  having  some  Time  since  been  sent 
down  from  Tryon  County  and  here  confined  was  brought 
before  the  Board  and  their  being  no  particular  Charges  as 
yet  exhibited  Before  us  against  him  therefore  ordered  that 
he  be  liberated  on  entring  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  future 
good  Behaviour  and  doing  Militia  Duty  and  for  his  remain- 
ing within  the  Limits  of  the  Township  of  Schenectady  and 
appearance  before  any  One  of  the  Commissioners  of  Con- 
spiracies when  called  upon  — 

Johannis  Staring  on  Recognizance  in £100 

Arent  N  Van  Petten  his  Bail in £100 

1  The  original  voucher  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  169, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 

"Ibid,  p.  169.  Payment  was  for  riding  three  commissioners  to  Sara- 
toga, etc.,  and  his  mother,  Eve  Slingerlandt,  signed  the  receipt  with  a 
mark. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      411 


[no]  Met  Albany  8th  September  1779 

Sept.  8. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  T          •  u  w       T>         i 
i  >•       -<     eremiah  Van  Kenselaer 

Isaac  D  Fonda        j        (  J 

Rachel  Farguson  having  been  some  time  since  Confined 
for  harbouring  &  entertaining  a  Number  of  Tories  who 
come  down  from  Canada  with  an  inte[n]tion  of  Murdering 
the  Defenceless  Inhabitants  on  the  Western  Frontiers  or 
this  State  was  brought  before  the  Board  order[e]d  that  she 
be  liberated  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance for  her  future  Good  Behaviour  and  appearance  at 
the  next  Court  of  General  Sessions  of  the  peace  to  be  Held 
for  the  City  &  County  of  Albany  at  the  City  Hall  of  the 
said  City  on  the  first  Tuesday  in  October  &  then  &  there 
to  answer  to  such  Charges  as  shall  be  alledged  against  her 
&  not  to  depart  the  Court  without  Leave 

Rachel  Farguson  on  Recognizance  in £200 

Robert  Yates  her  Bail  in £200 

Nicholas  Howe  D? £200 

Stephen  Howe  D-° £200 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  lo*11  September  1779  s/T79 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  T          T^    T?     j 
r,    .        TT-      i          f       1  Isaac  U.  Jbonda 
Mathew  Visscner     j        ( 

Application  was  made  to  the  Board  by  George  Hercher- 
mer  Hendrick  Bell  &  Warner  Dygert  Esq-of  Tryon  County 
for  the  liberation  of  Peter  Schuyler  and  his  Son  from  Con- 
finement and  the  said  George  Herchermer  Hendrick  Bell 
and  Warner  Dygert  offered  to  give  us  any  Security  that 


412  State  of  New  York 


1779      Could  be  demanded  for  the  future  good  Behaviour  of  the 
Sept.  10. 

said  Peter  Schuyler  &  his  Son  — 

Resolved  that  they  be  informed  that  this  Board  are  not 
Sufficiently  acquainted  with  the  Charges  alledged  against 
them  and  therefore  cannot  yet  liberate  them  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  William  Wills  Esq^ 
one  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  for  the  County 
of  Tryon  requesting  him  to  make  perticular  Enquiry  of  and 
collect  all  the  Charges  against  the  several  Persons  from 
Tryon  County  now  here  Confined  and  transmit  the  Same 
to  us  with  all  possible  Dispatch  — 

Adjourned 

SeXt7ii        t111]  Met  Albany  IIth  September  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  T          r\  T?     j 
i,    .        ,T.      i         r       1  Isaac  D  ronda 
Mathew  Visscner    J 

Moses  Coarson  having  been  apprehended  on  Suspicion 
of  his  being  a  Spy  from  the  Enemy  was  brought  before  the 
Board  and  being  examined  Confessed  that  he  has  been  a 
Captain  in  Col-  McKeys  Regiment  and  deserted  to  the 
Enemy  in  1777  at  Bound  Broock  that  he  has  acted  while 
with  the  Enemy  as  a  Volunteer  in  the  Artillery  till  two  or 
three  Days  after  they  landed  at  the  Head  of  the  Elk  that 
he  then  left  them  and  went  to  his  Place  of  Abode  where  he 
was  made  a  Prisoner  and  carried  to  Canada  from  whence 
he  run  off  and  Came  to  this  town  but  not  as  a  Spy  — 

Resolved  that  Col-  Van  Schaack  be  requested  to  furnish 
a  Guard  to  Convey  the  said  Moses  Coarson  to  the  Army 
there  to  be  delivered  to  the  Order  of  his  Excellency  General 
Washington 

Adjourned 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      413 


1779 

Sept.  14. 

Teremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        (  T  i       A/T  r>     i 

?  f       1  }ohn  M  Beekman 

Isaac  D  Fonda  )        (. 

It  appearing  from  the  Examinations  of  Walter  Morris 
Jeremiah  Johnson  and  Alexander  M-Elhany  that  John 
M-Dole  of  this  City  has  been  aiding  and  assisting  Samuel 
M-Farlan  who  was  apprehended  as  a  Spy  from  the  Enemy 
in  Making  his  Escape  from  this  Goal  &  has  after  his  Escape 
harboured  &  Secreted  him  in  his  House  order'd  that  the 
said  John  M  -  Dole  be  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board  to 
answer  the  above  Charges  — 

John  McDole  appearing  and  being  examined  and  denying 
the  Charge  alledged  against  him  ordered  that  the  [sic]  enter 
into  a  Recognizance  for  his  Appearance  at  the  next  Supreme 
Court  of  Judicature  to  be  held  for  the  State  of  New  York 
at  the  City  Hall  of  this  City  on  the  third  Tuesday  in  October 
next  &  not  departing  the  Court  without  Leave  — 

John   M^Dole  of  the   City  of  Albany   on 
Recognizance  in £300 

[112]  Resolved  that  the  Company  of  Rangers  raised 
under  the  Direction  of  this  Board  Commanded  by  Cap1 
Jacob  De  Forest  be  discharged  from  this  Day  as  their 
Services  are  not  any  Longer  necessary1 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  i<;th  September  1770  1779 

Present  «*•  '•• 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        1  Mathew  Visscher 

1  A  bill  for  services  of  De  Forest  and  eight  men,  from  September  20  to  23, 
I779»  giving  their  names,  is  in  Revolutionary  Manuscripts,  vol.  40,  p.  171, 
State  Comptroller's  office. 


414  State  of  New  York 

1779  Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  his  Excellency  Governor 
Clinton  requesting  him  to  remove  to  Canada  MS  Tuttle 
whose  Husband  Stephen  is  gone  off  to  the  Enemy  Some 
time  ago  which  Letter  is  in  the  following  words  (to  wit)1 
(see  Letter  on  the  File) 

Resolved  that  William  Foster  &  Benjamin  Richmond  be 
severally  examined  respecting  the  Conduct  of  Amos  Moore 
John  Miller  &  Lucas  Moore  and  it  appearing  from  their 
Examinations  that  the  Said  Amos  Moore  John  Miller  & 
Lucas  Moore  have  been  with  the  Enemy  therefore  Ordered 
that  the[y]  be  Severally  Committed  &  that  a  Mittimus  be 
made  out  for  them 

Resolved  that  Citations  be  made  out  and  sent  to  Nathaniel 
Grummond  Seth  Hull  Isaac  Howe  Noah  Olmstead  Benjamin 
Brown  &  Job  Elsworth  to  appear  before  us  on  Friday  next 
to  testify  to  such  Matters  as  they  may  know  respecting  the 
Conduct  of  the  above  Mentioned  John  Miller  — 

and  also  Resolved  at  the  Request  of  Amos  Moore  that 
Citations  be  made  out  and  sent  to  William  Rhodes  Elisha 
Andrew  &  Mathew  Edmund  to  appear  before  us  on  Friday 
next  to  Give  their  Evidence  respecting  the  said  Amos  Moore 

Adjourned 

SeI77?6        [JI3]  Met  Albany  1 6th  September  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  |       j  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

John  Hunter  appearing  before  us  according  to  order  was 
examined  as  to  the  Charge  alledged  against  him  of  his  having 
been  with  the  Enemy  &  he  having  entered  into  a  Recogni- 

1  In  George  Clinton  Papers,  no.  2526,  archives  of  New  York  State  Library, 
where  the  answer  is  also  to  be  found. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      415 

zance  before  Mr  Justice  Roorbeeck  to  appear  at  the  next    s17?9  6 
Supreme   Court   was    permitted    to   go    at   large    till    that 
time  — 

Nicholas  Sixby  being  also  Suspected  of  having  been  with 
the  Enemy  &  having  in  Consequence  thereof  been  Cited  to 
appear  before  us  appeared  and  denying  the  Charge  alledged 
against  him  &  offering  an  Oath  to  prove  his  Innocence 
resolved  that  he  be  permitted  to  go  at  large  on  entering  into  a 
Recognizance  to  appear  before  the  Board  on  or  before  the 
first  day  of  next  Month  then  &  there  to  dispose  the  Same  by 
Sufficient  Witnesses  — 

Robert  Davis  being  Charged  with  encouraging  Conti- 
nental Soldiers  to  desert  was  cited  to  appear  before  the  Board 
on  his  appearing  and  denying  the  Charge  — 

Resolved  that  he  be  discharged  on  his  entering  into  a 
Recognizance  with  Sufficient  Sureties  for  his  appearance 
before  us  on  Wednesday  next  &  disproving  the  Above 
Charge  by  Sufficient  Evidence  or  that  in  Failure  hereof  he 
Surrender  a  Prisoner  to  the  Goaler  of  this  City  and  County 
of  Albany 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  i;th  September  1779 
Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  )        ( 
Isaac  D  Fonda  )         (. 

In  Consequence  of  the  Citations  from  this  Board  to 
W-  [114]  Rhodes  Elisha  Andrew  &  Mathew  Edmund  they 
Severally  appeared  before  us  &  were  examined  as  to  the 
Charge  against  Amos  Moore  which  Examination  is  in 
the  following  Words  (to  wit)  (See  Examination  on  the 
File) 


416  State  of  New  York 


1779          Benjamin  Brown  Isaac  Howe  Noah  Olmstead    &  Seth 
Sept.  17.  * 

Hull  Severally  [appeared]  before  us  Agreeable  to  the  order  of 
this  Board  the  15th  Instant  &  were  examined  as  to  the  Charge 
alledged  against  John  Miller  which  Examination  is  in  the 
following  Words  (to  wit)  (see  Examination  on  the  File) 

Adjourned 

1779  Met  Albany  i8th  September  1779 

Se>*-18-  Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  1 
Isaac  D  ponda.  ) 

Col-  Schonhoven  &  Major  Taylor  preferred  a  Verbal 
Complaint  to  this  Board  against  old  John  Concklin  &  Daniel 
Nettleton  Daniel  Frazer  Jacob  Wiltcee  John  Mud  Concklin 
James  Van  Driesen  Long  John  Concklin  Tunis  Van  Camp 
John  Nessley  Barent  Nessley  Jonathan  Lossing  John  Todd 
Joseph  Nap  &  John  Coughin  Some  of  whom  are  prisoners 
of  War  that  the[y]  have  the  Greatest  Reason  to  Believe  they 
are  in  League  with  the  Scouting  parties  of  the  Enemy  & 
that  if  some  Remedy  is  not  devised  that  the  Whole  Whig 
party  of  the  Inhabitants  will  be  Necessitated  to  Remove 
Numbers  of  them  that  have  Exerted  themselves  in  the 
present  war  are  at  present  Compelld  to  procure  private 
Guards  to  Secure  their  persons  &  Property  from  the  Violence 
of  the  Tories  &  others  are  th[r]ough  Dread  Obliged  to  betake 
themselves  at  Night  to  the  Woods  — 

Resolved  that  Col-  Schonhoven  and  Major  Taylor  be 
informed  that  this  Board  will  take  the  Same  into  Considera- 
tion &  Afford  them  all  the  Assistance  in  their  Power  towards 
punishing  the  Said  persons  &  endeavouring  effectually  to 
put  it  out  of  their  Power  to  give  them  any  Disturbances 
in  future  — 


Minutes  of  Gommissioners  for  Conspiracies      417 


Dr   Miller   made   application    for    the  Liberation  of  his    c  J779 

Sept.  1  8. 

Brother  John  Miller  &  tendered  Security  for  his  appearance 
and  [115]  Behaviour  —  Resolved  that  D-  Miller  be  informed 
that  the  Crime  with  which  the  said  John  Miller  is  Charged 
are  such  that  the  Board  Cannot  at  present  Consent  to  admit 
the  said  John  Miller  to  Bail  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  20th  September  1779  SeI7t79 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  |       (  Isaac  D  Fonda 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer  j        (  Mathew  Visscher 

The  Board  having  taken  into  Consideration  the  Complaint 
Exhibited  to  them  by  Col?  Schonhoven  &  Major  Taylor 
on  the  1  8th  Instant  Respecting  a  Number  of  disaffected 
Inhabitants  of  Newtown  do  in  Consequence  thereof  — 

Resolve  that  Col-  Stephen  J.  Schuyler  be  requested  to 
order  a  Party  of  Men  of  his  Regiment  to  proceed  to  Newtown 
and  there  Endeavour  to  apprehend  the  Persons  Complained 
of  that  the  Officer  who  is  to  Command  the  Party  be  informed 
of  the  Business  he  is  to  go  upon  and  he  be  Charged  to 
Communicate  his  Instructions  to  no  person  Whatever  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  22^  September  1779  1779 

Present  ^P'-  22- 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  A/r    ,        \7-      r 
1  y       •{  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda        j        ( 

Information  having  been  given  to  this  Board  that  Black- 
man  Browning  who  is  now  [in]  Cambridge  District  has  been 
with  Burgoyne  &  was  sent  for  by  Major  Skeene  as  a  Spy  into  ^ 
General  Stark'  s  Army  for  which  Piece  of  Service  he  received 


4i 8  State  of  New  York 

1779  twenty  Dollars  &  that  he  has  from  the  Commencement 
of  the  present  Contest  been  Disaffected  to  the  American 
Cause 

Resolved  in  Consequence  of  the  above  Information  that  a 
Warrant  for  the  immediate  apprehension  of  the  said  Black- 
man  Browning  be  made  out  &  inclosed  in  a  Letter  to  John 
Younglove  Esq-  [116]  requesting  him  to  have  it  Served  & 
desiring  him  to  bind  over  such  Witnesses  as  are  able  to  prove 
the  above  Charges  against  the  said  Browning  to  appear  at 
the  next  Supreme  Court  of  Judicature  — 

Resolved  that  a  Letter  be  wrote  to  Major  Esselstyne  at 
Claverack  inclosing  a  Warrant  for  the  Apprehension  of 
Jacobus  Hoagteling  &  that  he  be  requested  to  have  the 
Same  Served  — 

It  having  been  Suggested  to  the  Board  that  there  is  now 
residing  with  MT  Trimper  at  Eusopas  a  Man  whos[e]  name  is 
Carel  Koning  whom  there  is  the  Greatest  Reason  to  suspect 
as  one  of  the  Robbers  that  are  daily  plundering  the  good 
people  of  this  State  — 

Therefore  ordered  that  a  letter  be  wrote  to  the  Commis- 
sioners at  Eusopus  requesting  them  to  have  the  said  Carel 
Koning  immediately  apprehended  &  Sent  to  this  Board  with 
all  his  Apparel  — 

Adjourned  — 


Sept.  23.  n 

rresent 


1779^  Met  Albany  23th  September  1779 

ent 

lohn  M  Beekman  )        f  A/I-    u       \T-      u 
J  r       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda       )        ( 


Casper  Smith  Peter  Miller  was  ordered  to  appear  before 
the  Board  &  examined  which  Examination  is  in  the  following 
words  (to  wit)  (See  Examination  on  the  File) 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      419 


Resolved  that  a  Warrant  be  issued  to  apprehend  Umfreys      r779 
Wright  for  Encouriging  Soldiers  belonging  to  the  Continental 
Army  to  desert    &  to  Rob    &  plunder  the  well  affected 
Inhabitants  &  that  immediately  on  his  apprehension  he  be 
brought  before  us  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  24th  September  1779  *779 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  A,    ,        \r     i_ 
J  V       •<  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda       )        (. 

The  board  having  Received  Information  that  Nic-  Cole, 
Samuel  Cooper,  William  Cooper,  Symon  Snyder,  John 
Snyder  John  P  Snyder  Abraham  Sea  [blank]  Odell,  Stephen 
Myers,  &  Jacob  Miller  are  dangerous  &  disaffected  Per- 
sons and  there  [117]  being  great  Reason  to  Suspect  them  of 
having  harboured  &  secreted  Parties  from  the  Enemy  — 

Therefore  Resolved  that  a  Warrant  be  made  out  directed 
to  Ensign  Reuben  Wright  forthwith  to  apprehend  the  said 
Persons  and  bring  them  before  us  — 

Adjourned  — 

i  *7r?Q 
Met  Albany  25th  September  1779  Sept.  25. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  }        \  A/r    L       T/-      L 
J  [•       4  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Fonda       )        ( 

Resolved  that  Hendrick  Merkle  enter  into  a  Recognizance 
with  a  Sufficient  Surety  for  his  remaining  within  the  Limits 
of  the  City  of  Albany  behaving  himself  as  a  good  &  faithful 
[subject]  of  this  State  &  for  his  Appearance  before  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  whenever  thereunto  required 
during  the  next  two  Years  from  this  Date  &  that  in  Conse- 


420  State  of  New  York 


J779      quence  of  his  entering  into  Such  Recognizance  he  have  Per- 
mission to  return  to  his  Place  of  Abode  — 

Hendrick  Merkle  on  Recognizance  in £1000 

John  Roff  of  the  City  of  Albany  hisBail  in.   £1000 

Adjourned 

0  *779  Met  Albany  ?oth  Septf  1779 

Sept'3°-  Present 

Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 
John  M  Beekman 

Blackman  Browning  having  been  Confined  some  Time  ago 
on  a  Charge  against  him  of  his  having  been  guilty  of  Several 
Misdemeanors  &  we  having  examined  the  Witnesses  pro- 
duced in  Support  of  the  above  Charge  — 

We  do  resolve  that  the  said  Blackman  Browning  be 
liberated  from  Confinement  on  his  entering  into  a  Recog- 
nizance with  a  Sufficient  Surety  for  his  good  Behaviour  & 
remaining  within  the  Limits  of  this  City  &  appearing  before 
this  Board  when  thereunto  required  — 

Blackman  Browning  on  Recognizance  in £500 

Cornelius  Dotey  his  Bail   in £500 

1779          fiiSl  Met  Albanv  Ist  October  1770 

Oct.  i. 

Present 

Isaac  D  Fonda      |       j  Jeremiah  Van  Renselaer 
Mathew  Visscher  )        ( 

A  Petition  of  John  Cobham  was  laid  before  the  Board 
praying  to  be  admitted  as  a  Subject  of  this  State  and  Offer- 
ing to  take  the  Oath  of  Alligence  prescribed  by  Law 
which  Petition  was  Accompanied  by  a  Request  of  Leonard 
Gansevoort  Robert  M-Clallen  &  sundry  other  respectable 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      421 


Inhabitants]  of  this  City  that  the  prayer  of  the  said  Pettition      1779 
might  be  Granted  — 

On  Consideration  Whereof  it  is  Resolved  that  the  same 
be  Complied  with  &  that  the  Oath  of  Alligence  be  admin- 
istred  to  the  Said  John  Cobham  — 

Coll  Van  Schaack  informed  the  Board  that  Samuel  Wil- 
liamson of  this  City  made  use  of  Several  Expressions  tend- 
ing to  injure  the  American  Cause 

Ordered  in  Consequence  of  the  Said  Information  that  a 
Warrant  be  made  out  for  the  immediate  Apprehension  & 
Confinement  of  the  Said  Samuel  Williamson  — 

Adjourned 

Met  Albany  f/h  October  1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  ")        (  ,  _ 

T          T-i  T-     j          r       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  u  ronda       j        ( 

A  Certificate  of  Sundry  of  the  well  affected  Inhab- 
itant[s]  of  Tryon  County  was  laid  before  the  board  wherein 
they  Certify  that  the[y]  have  no  Objection  to  the  liberation 
of  Peter  D.  Schuyler  &  Johan  Jost.  Schuyler  from 
Confinement  — 

Resolved  in  Consequence  thereof  that  Peter  D  Schuyler 
&  Johan  Jost  Schuyler  be  liberated  from  Confinement  on 
their  Severally  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  Sufficient 
[119]  Sureties  for  their  good  Behaviour  appearing  before 
this  Board  when  Called  upon  and  remaining  within  the 
Limits  of  this  City  which  Restrictions  they  are  to  Observe 
for  the  next  two  years  from  this  Date  — 

Peter  D  Schuyler  of  Tryon  County  Farmer 
on  Recognizance  in ^5°° 

Barent  Roseboom  of  the  City  of  Albany  his 
Bail  in £500 


422  State  of  New  York 


J779  Richard  Loucks  of  Tryon  County  now  here  Confined  in 
Goal  for  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  was  brought 
before  the  Board  &  as  nothing  Material  has  yet  been  pro- 
duced against  him  therefore  Resolved  that  he  be  liberated 
on  entring  into  a  Recognizance  with  Sufficient  Surety  for 
his  good  Behaviour  [and]  appearan[c]e  before  this  Board 
when  thereunto  required  &  remaining  within  the  Limits 
of  the  Township  of  Schenectady  during  the  next  two  Years 
unless  Sooner  Discharged  — 

Richard  Loucks  of  Tryon  County  on  Recog- 
nizance in £500 

Christopher  Zeven  his  Bail  in £500 

Adjourned 

1779  Met  Albany  iith  October  1770 

Oct.  ii.  r> 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  | 
Isaac  D  Fonda         ) 

The  Act  for  Continuing  the  Powers  vested  in  this  Board 
having  Expired  twenty  Days  after  the  Meeting  of  the 
Legislature,  an  Act  for  a  further  Continuation  of  the  said 
Powers  passed  on  the  first  Day  of  October  Instant  was 
transmitted  to  us  by  his  Excellency  the  Governor  which  act 
is  in  the  words  following  (to  wit)1 

An  Act  for  reviving  the  Powers  of  the  Commissioners 
for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies  and  for  orhet 
Purposes  therein  Mentioned 

[120]  Whereas  the  Act  of  the  Legislature  of  this  State 
entitled  "An  Act  for  appointing  Commissioners  for  detect- 
ing and  defeating  Conspiracies  and  declaring  their  Powers" 
and  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act  for  increasing  the  Number  of 
Commissioners  for  detecting  and  defeating  Conspiracies 

1  Appendix  I:  Laws,  October  i,  1779. 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      423 


within  this  State"  did  expire  in  twenty  days  after  the  pres- 
ent  Meeting  of  the  Legislature  and  a  Quorum  of  both 
Houses  Convened  to  proceed  on  Business. — 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  People  of  the  State  of  New  York 
represented  in  Senate  and  Assembly  and  it  is  hereby  enacted 
by  the  Authority  of  the  Same  that  the  said  two  Acts  and 
the  Powers  &  Authorities  by  them  or  either  of  them  granted 
to  the  said  Commissioners  or  any  and  every  three  of  them 
Shall  be  and  are  hereby  revived  &  shall  Continue  &  be  in 
full  Force  until  twenty  Days  after  the  first  day  of  the  next 
Meeting  of  a  Quorum  of  the  Legislature  &  the  Treasurer 
of  this  State  is  hereby  Authorized  and  required  out  of  such 
Monies  as  may  be  in  the  Treasury  to  pay  to  the  said  Com- 
missioners or  any  three  of  them  such  further  Sum  or  Sums 
as  they  Shall  from  time  to  time  require  to  defray  the  Expence 
of  the  said  Business  Committed  to  them  So  as  the  Amount 
of  such  Sum  or  Sums  Shall  not  in  the  whole  Exceed  the  Sum 
of  four  thousand  Pounds  — 

And  whereas  the  Said  Commissioners  or  some  Quorum 
or  Quorums  of  them  may  have  done  and  performed  divers 
Acts  Matters  and  things  in  &  respecting  their  Several  & 
respective  Offices  and  Places  since  the  Expiration  of  the 
Said  Laws  &  by  Reason  thereof  the  Legality  and  Volidity  or 
[sic]  the  said  Acts  Matters  and  Things  may  be  drawn  into 
Question  —  be  it  therefore  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid 
that  all  and  Singular  the  said  Acts  Matters  &  things  Shall 
be  as  good  valid  and  effectual  in  the  Law  to  all  Intents 
Constructions  &  Purposes  whatsoever  as  if  the  said  Laws 
had  not  expired  by  their  own  respective  Limitations  [121] 
but  been  in  full  Force  and  Effect  at  and  immediately  before 
the  passing  of  this  Law  any  thing  in  the  said  Laws  or  either 
of  them  to  the  Contrary  hereof  in  any  wise  Notwithstanding 

And  whereas  in  and  by  the  said  two  recited  Acts  no  Pro- 


424  State  of  New  York 


1779  vision  is  made  to  enable  the  Council  of  Appointment  from 
Time  to  Time  to  remove  any  one  or  more  of  the  Said 
Commissioners  and  appoint  other  or  others  in  his  or  their 
Stead. — 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Authority  aforesaid  that  the  said 
Power  and  Authority  of  Removal  and  appointment  is  and 
are  hereby  fully  vested  in  the  said  Council  to  be  exercised 
by  them  from  time  to  time  in  their  Discretion  to  all  Intents 
Constructions  and  Purposes  in  the  Law  Whatsoever  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  2?d  November  1779 
Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        f  T          n  T?     j 
j  }•       «  Isaac  D  ronda 

Matnew  Visscher     )        ( 

A  Pettition  of  John  and  Arent  Ratcliffe  Sons  of  Rykert 
RatclifF  was  laid  before  the  Board  Setting  forth  among 
other  things  that  thro  the  artful  persuasions  of  one  Smith 
&  others  they  had  been  induced  to  leave  their  Father's 
Service  and  went  with  said  Smith  to  Unadilla  but  soon 
discovering  for  what  purpose  they  had  been  deluded  they 
returned  Home  and  begging  for  favour  and  protection  which 
said  Petition  being  read  and  filed,  and  the  Board  being 
otherwise  informed  of  the  truth  of  several  of  the  Matters 
Contained  in  the  Petition  — 

Resolved  that  if  the  said  Arent  and  John  Ratcliffe  Appeal- 
before  this  Board  on  Thursday  next  &  give  us  a  just  and 
true  State  of  such  Matters  as  they  may  know  that  they  will 
(on  the  [122]  Said  John  &  Arent  giving  proper  Security) 
not  Cause  them  to  be  apprehended  but  Suffer  them  to  remain 
at  their  Homes  unmolested  — 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      425 


Met  Albany  oth  November  1770  '779 

T^  J     7  '  '  '  NOV.  Q. 

rresent 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  T          r\  i?     j 
;_    .         TT.  f        i  Asaac  D  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher    )        (. 

Resolved  that  Charek  Schoommaker  of  the  Bever  Dam 
be  discharged  on  entring  into  a  Recognizance  with  a  Suffi- 
cient Surety  for  his  good  Behaviour  and  appearing  before 
any  three  of  the  Commissioners  of  Conspiracies  for  the 
Term  of  one  year  from  this  Day  — 

Charek  Schoomaker  of  the  Bever  Dam  in 
the  County  of  Albany  on  Recognizance  in .  £400 

Egbert  Schoomaker  of  Sagerties  in  the  County 
of  Ulster  his  Bail  in £400 

Julius  Bush  of  Tryon  County  having  been  confined  for  dis- 
affection to  the  American  Cause  was  brought  before  the  Board 

Resolved  that  he  be  discharged  from  his  present  Con- 
finement on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good 
Behaviour  &  rema[i]ning  within  the  Limits  [of]  this  City 
to  the  North,  East  &  west,  and  as  far  as  Philip  Van  Ren- 
selaers  to  the  South  and  appearing  before  any  three  of  the 
Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when  called  for  and  during 
the  Term  of  one  Year  from  this  day  — 

Julius  Bush  of  Tryon  County  on  Recog- 
nizance in £200 

John  Ristyne  of  the  Manor  of  Renselaer- 
wyck  his  Bail  in 100 

Adjourned  — 

[123]  Met  Albany  ioth  November  1770  *779 

Nov.  10. 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         f  A/r    ,        xr      , 
-;  \       \  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  tonda       j 


426  State  of  New  York 


i779          Samuel  M-Farlan  who  was  some  Time  since  Confined  by 
Nov.  10. 

an  order  of  this  Board  on  Suspicion  of  his  being  a  Spy  from 

the  Enemy  and  who  after  his  Commitment  broke  Goal,  this 
Day  appeared  before  us  and  p[r]oduced  proper  Credentials 
of  his  Character  which  being  Satisfactory  ordered  that  he 
be  discharged 

Godfrey  Sybert  of  Tryon  County  having  been  Confined 
for  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  was  brought  before 
the  Board 

Resolved  that  he  be  discharged  on  entering  into  a  Recogni- 
zance for  his  Good  Behaviour  Appearance  before  any  three 
of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  whenever  thereunto 
required  and  remainig  within  the  Limits  of  the  Township 
of  Schenectady  — 

Godfrey    Sybert    of    Stonearabia    in   Tryon 

County  Farmer  on  Recognizance in  £500 

Andrew  Wrymer  of  the  same  Place  his  Bail  in  £250 

Adjourned  — 

1779  Met  Albany  icth  November  1770 

NOT-  '*•  Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  ,  ,    .        T7.      . 
T          ~  ^      .          f       •{  Mathew  Visscher 
Isaac  \J  ronda        j         ( 

Julius  Bush  who  was  on  the  9th  Instant  liberated  from 
Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recognizance  with  John 
Ristine  [124]  as  his  Surety  appeared  before  the  [Board]  and 
requested  that  the  said  John  Ristine  might  be  discharged 
from  his  said  Recognizance  and  Christopher  Ceron  of 
Schenectady  accepted  in  his  Stead  as  Surety  for  him  — 

Resolved  that  the  said  John  Ristine  and  he  is  hereby 
discharged  from  his  Recognizance  and  that  the  said  Julius 
Bush  enter  a  Recognizance  of  anew  for  his  good  Behaviour 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      427 

Appearance    before    any   three   of  the   Commissioners    for      *779 

.  .  .  Nov.  15. 

Conspiracies  whenever  thereunto  required  and  for  his  re- 
maining within  the  Limits  of  the  Township  of  Schenectady 
and  not  departing  the  same  without  Leave  obtained  for  that 
purpose  from  the  Board  — 

Julius  Bush  of  Tryon  County  on  Recogniz- 
ance in £500 

Christopher  Ceron  of  Schenectady  Joiner 

his  Bail  in £250 

Hendrick  Merkle  who  was  on  the  25th  September  last 
discharged  from  Confinement  on  entering  into  a  Recogni- 
zance for  his  remaining  within  the  Limits  of  this  City 
appeared  before  us  this  day  and  requested  to  be  Confined  to 
the  Limits  of  Schenectady 

Resolved  that  the  former  Recognizance  of  the  said  Hendrick 
Merkle  be  discharged  &  that  he  enter  into  a  new  Recogni- 
zance for  his  remaining  within  the  Limits  of  the  District  of 
Schenectady  for  his  good  Behaviour  &  appearance  before 
any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies  when 
thereunto  required  — 

Hendrick  Merkle  of  Tryon  County  on 

Recognizance  in • £1000 

John  Roff  of  the  City  of  Albany  Merchant 

his  Bail  in £  500 

Adjourned  — 

[125]  Met  Albany  1 6th  November  1779  NI7796 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  |        (  Mathew  visscher 
Isaac  D  Fonda       )        ( 

Resolved  that  Peter  Van  Campen  be  discharged  on 
entering  into  a  Recognizance  for  his  good  Behaviour  doing 


428  State  of  New  York 


NoV 796  kis  Duty  as  a  Subject  of  this  State  ought  to  do  and  appearing 
before  any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies 
when  thereunto  required 

Peter  Van  Campen  of  Newtown  Farmer  on 

Recognizance  in £100 

Henry  Brevoort  of  the  same  Place  Farmer 
his  Bail  in £  50 

Stephen  Ladue  of  same  place  Farmer  also  his 

Bail  in £  50 

Adjourned 

1779  Met  Albany  27th  November  1770 

*<"•  *>•  Present 

John  M  Beekman  )         (  A,    ,        xr      , 
::          _^  _,  >•       •<  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  ronda       j        ( 

Joseph  Concklin  of  Newtown  having  some  time  since 
been  Confined  for  Disaffection  to  the  American  Cause  was 
this  Day  brought  before  the  Board  offering  good  Security  for 
his  future  good  Behaviour  — 

Resolved  that  he  be  discharged  on  his  entering  into  a 
Recognizan[c]e  for  his  Good  Behaviour  doing  his  Duty  and 
Appearing  before  any  three  of  the  Commissioners  for  Con- 
spiracies when  thereunto  required  — 

Joseph   Concklin  of  Newtown   Farmer   on 

Recognizance  in £200 

John  Ja :  Ostrander  of  the  same  place  Farmer 

His  Bail  in £100 

Derek  Heemstraet  of  the  same  place  Farmer 

also  his  Bail  in £100 

Resolved  Peter  Drummond  be  &  is  hereby  discharged 
from  the  Recognizance  by  him  entered  into  before  this  Board 
&  that  his  Bails  be  discharged  in  Like  Manner 

Adjourned  — 


Minutes  of  Commissioners  for  Conspiracies      429 


[126]  Met  Albany  Ist  December  1779  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        (  T          TA  T-     j 
r.    .        T-      i  r       1  Asaac  *•)  ronda 

Mathew  Visscher     )        (. 

a  Letter  from  CoU  Jacob  Clock  &  Peter  S  Dygert  Esq- 
respecting  Peter  D  Schuyler  and  Johan  Jost  Schuyler  was 
laid  before  the  Board  in  Consequence  whereof  resolved  that 
the  said  Peter  D  Schuyler  and  Johan  Jost  Schuyler  enter  into 
Recognizance  for  their  Appearance  before  the  said  Col- 
Clock  and  Warner  S  Dygert  in  ten  Days  from  this  Day  and 
that  they  give  such  Security  for  their  future  good  Conduct  to 
the  said  Col!  Clock  and  Warner  S  Dygert  as  they  May 
require  of  them  and  that  during  the  above  time  they  be  of  the 
good  Behaviour  towards  all  the  Liage  Subjects  of  this  State  — 

Peter  D  Schuyler  of  Tryon  County  Farmer 

in £500 

Johan  Jost  Schuyler  of  the  same  place 

Farmer  in. £500 

Abram  Schuyler  of  the  City  of  Albany 

Merchant  their  Bail  in £500  — 

Adjourned  — 

Met  Albany  7th  December  1779  1779 

n  J    '  Dec.  7. 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )         (  T          r^  T?     j 
j  r       "i  Isaac  D  Jbonda 

Mathew  Visscher     j 

Resolved  that  John  Overhart  Unger  be  discharged  on 
entering  in  a  Recognizance  with  a  Sufficient  Surety  for  his 
good  Behaviour  doing  his  Duty  as  a  faithful  Subject  of  the 
State  &  appearing  before  any  three  of  the  Commissioners 
for  Conspiracies  whenever  thereunto  required  — 


43°  State  of  New  York 


I779              Johan  Overhart  Unger  on  Recognizan[c]e  in  £500 
John  Tillman  Sen^.of  the  City  of  Albany  Inn- 
keeper his  Bail  in £500 

Adjourned 
1779         [127]  Met  Albany  24th  December  1779 

Dec.  24* 

Present 

John  M  Beekman  )        (  T          r>»  T?     j 
A/T    L       xr      L        f       1  Isaac  D  Fonda 
Mathew  Visscher    J        ( 

Cornelius  Doty  who  some  time  Since  became  Surety  for 
the  good  Behaviour  and  Appearance  of  Blackman  Browning 
when  called  upon  appeared  before  the  Board  and  requested 
to  be  discharged  from  the  Recognizance  by  him  entered  into 
for  the  said  Blackman  Browning  and  we  having  considered 
the  said  request  and  the  Reasons  in  Support  of  the  Same 
do  thereupon  resolve  that  the  said  Cornelius  Doty  be  and  is 
hereby  discharged  from  the  Recognizance  entered  into  by  him 
as  Surety  for  the  said  Blackman  Browning  — 

Adjourned  — 

J779  Met  Albany  3 Ist  December  1779 

Present 

John  M  Beeckman  )        f  A/r    ,        \r      L 
::  r       i  Mathew  Visscher 

Isaac  D  Jbonda         )        ( 

The  Board  having  received  Information  that  Isaac  Lamb 
of  the  Manor  of  Renselaerwyck  who  joined  Burgoyne's 
Army  in  the  Year  1777  is  lately  come  from  the  Enemy  and  is 
now  at  his  former  Place  of  Abode  resolved  that  a  Warrant  be 
made  out  for  the  immediate  Apprehension  of  the  said  Isaac 
Lamb 

Adjourned 


See  Analytical  Index 
Vol.  III. 


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